Momoh Umar Momoh, Benin
Maria Edeko, the Deputy Speaker, of the Edo State House of Assembly has resigned from the position of the deputy Speaker of the House.
Edeko tendered her resignation at the floor of the House on Monday during plenary sitting.
The immediate past Deputy Speaker elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP to represent the Esan North-East II constituency.
She was elected deputy speaker following the majority status of her party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
She said, she voluntarily resigned from the office of the deputy speaker, following the majority status of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the House as a result of the defection of some members of PDP to the former.
Edeko was, however, replaced by Hon Atu Osamwonyi (APC), representing Orhionmwon I.
Osamwonyi was nominated by Hon Yekini Idaiye, Akoko-Edo I and seconded by Hon Osamwonyi Kaycee representing Uhunmwonde constituency.
The House, however, unanimously resolved to continue to accord her all the entitlements accrued to her former position as the deputy speaker.
Earlier, in her resignation letter, the immediate past Deputy Speaker, said she voluntarily resign after due consultations with her constituency following the equitable power sharing between the constuent senatorial districts that make up Edo State.
“Today, we are at a crossroads in the political history of Edo State and in Nigeria. In my honour, for integrity, the protection of our democracy, equitable power sharing between the constituent senatorial districts that make up Edo State.
“After due consultation with my constituency, I hereby voluntarily resign with great humility from the office of the Deputy Speaker that you graciously elected me into.
“I hope that this will engender peace, peaceful co-existence in the state and strengthen governance and democracy in Edo State and Nigeria in general,” she said.
While apologising to those that she may have offended in the course of the discharge of her duties, she, however, thanked the leadership of PDP for finding her worthy to be elected as the deputy speaker of the House.
She also commended the Speaker and members of the House especially those in the Tender Board which she chaired for their good working relationship.
“You will recall over twenty-four months ago; we were elected as members of the Edo State House of Assembly and subsequently our very distinguished colleagues elected you and I as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.
“We give thanks to mighty God for his divine graces. I sincerely thank the leaders of my party PDP for finding me worthy. To my most distinguished brothers and sister.
“I am grateful to you for electing me and supporting me to succeed. I am eternally grateful for your love and support. It has been an interesting journey.
“To the best of my ability and the dictates of good conscience I have carried out the duties assigned to my office and other assignments given to me with great passion, meritoriously, following due process, and building a very strong foundation for the future.
“As the Chairperson of the House Committee on Tender Board, members of my committee, staff of my office, secretary, assistant secretary, and I have laid down a robust procurement process in line with Edo State Procurement Law.
“We have worked so hard to satisfy the needs of members and provisions of the law in our procurement processes.
“I am very grateful to members of my working team for their sacrifices and for working long hours both at weekends, on public holidays, and closing very late each day. God bless and reward you all.
“It is significant to note that I have been part of very significant achievements of this 8th Assembly.
“My resignation, implies that there is no longer a single woman at this critical level of government in the State.
“Therefore, for equity, I will use this opportunity to appeal to the State Government to address this gross exclusion of women from this critical level of Governance in the state.
“As a true democrat, I will continuously support Mr. Speaker and the Governor to bring the benefits of democracy to our suffering people,” she added.
