A new chief whip has been elected in the Edo State House of Assembly. He is Mr Patrick Aisowieren, representing Orhionmwon I in the assembly.
Our correspondent reports that Aisowieren elected under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), replaced the former chief whip, Mrs. Elizabeth Aluje, whose election was recently invalidated by the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin in favour of Mr Amadasum Uwaniwose of the Action Congress (AC).
In another development, the assembly refused to swear-in Mr Joseph Ogedegbe of AC as the member representing Owan East in the Assembly.
Ogedegbe was last week declared winner of the April, 2007 House of Assembly election in Edo State by the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, which directed that he should be sworn-in immediately.
The Tide gathered that the directive was yet to be effected as the speaker, Mr Zakawanu Garuba, was said to have travelled outside state. Garuba it was further gathered would not be on seat until 28 July, 2009 when he is expected to return from his journey.
However, the election of the new chief whip was effected by the legislature sequel to a letter to the Assembly by PDP secretariat in the state, urging it to confirm the nominee.
The letter which was read by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Levy Aigbogun, who presided, received an overwhelming approval from the members of the PDP and AC present.
