Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Kombowei Benson, has finally bowed to pressure and swore in the three opposition lawmakers after about four months.
The three lawmakers inaugurated are: Watson Belemote of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, representing Brass Constituency 2; Gibson Munalayefa of the Labour Party for Ogbia Constituency 2 and Gabriel Ogbara of African Democratic Congress for Ogbia Constituency 3.
The trio was declared winner of the election by the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
During the Thursday plenary, Benson announced the names of the three opposition legislators and asked them to come to the front to take their oath of allegiance.
He said the Independent National Electoral Commission having forwarded the names of the three persons to the House of Assembly, it was only constitutional and customary that they swore them in to enable them take their proper place in the hallowed chamber.
He also debunked the insinuation in some quarters that Governor Dickson masterminded their not being sworn in the time they were supposed to be inaugurated.
The Speaker said, “In respect of today’s business, many issues and several write ups were raised. But the three members we are swearing in today have not made any enemies in this House. I, as a member of this great House, those who were there before them have no issues with any of them.
“But the record remains that this House is a lawmaking body and as we continue to make law for the betterment of the people of Bayelsa State, we have rules, guidelines and constitution that drive our activities.
“The leadership of this House has to discuss again and again and saw the need to bring you in because we felt the voice of the constitution is absent and the voice of good representation was not heard. That was how we made conclusion to bring you in.
“Therefore, the insinuation that the governor masterminded your not coming in or anything in the press was uncalled for.
“I want to specially congratulate you and believing that you are here for lawmaking and the constituents you represent should know that nobody was out there to victimize you. May God bless as you are welcome on board.”
