The Senate has directed the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to issue a fresh proclamation for the inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly within one week.

This position was taken during the upper chamber’s seating on Tuesday.

The red chamber also said if the governor fails to do so within a week, the National Assembly should invoke its powers as contained in the Constitution by taking over legislative functions of the Edo State House of Assembly.

The development followed the adoption of the report of the Senate ad hoc committee on the Edo State House of Assembly crisis, presented by its chairman, Senator Sabi Abdullahi.

The Senate’s action aligned with the House of Representatives, which issued a similar directive two weeks ago.

People & Politics recalled that it was widely reported that 15 out of 24 members of the Edo State House of Assembly elect are “loyal” to Mr Adams Oshiomole while the remaining nine are said to be loyal to the state governor.

The earlier scheduled date for their inauguration was June 7, but it could not hold because of the absence of Mr Obaseki.

However, there was a new twist to the drama as the much-anticipated inauguration of the Assembly took place at 10 p.m. that Monday.

The Clerk of the Assembly, Yahaya Omogbai, was said to have ushered the members-elect into the chamber and read out the letter of proclamation transmitted to his office by Governor Obaseki.

At the nocturnal siting of the members-elect, the clerk proclaimed the House and lawmakers elected Frank Okiye (Esan North-East Constituency I) as the Speaker against Mr Oshiomhole’s preferred candidate.

Yekini Idiaye (Akoko-Edo Constituency I) was also elected Deputy Speaker.

Immediately after the inauguration, a motion for adjournment was moved by the speaker and the assembly was adjourned till July 18.

The 24 members-elect are all members of APC.