Policemen on Thursday surrounded the Edo State House of Assembly complex in Benin City, the state capital.

This is coming barely 24 hours after the Deputy Speaker, Yekini Idiaye, was impeached by the state lawmakers.

The member representing Orhionmwon-South constituency, Mr Roland Asoro, has since been appointed deputy speaker and was immediately administered the oath of office and oath of allegiance by the Speaker.

It was gathered that police action was in a bid to prevent an attack on the complex.

Apart from many security officials that blocked entrance into the complex, patrol vehicles were also stationed there.

The House had earlier on Wednesday impeached Idiaye on grounds of alleged gross misconduct.

But it was learnt that Idaiye was removed by seven pro-Governor Godwin Obaseki lawmakers in Government House, Benin City, for allegedly endorsing Ize-Iyamu.

The pro-Obaseki lawmakers had been sitting in the Government House for over a month following the alleged fumigation of the Assembly complex over COVID-19 scare.

It was learnt that 17 of the 24-member Assembly are now backing Ize-Iyamu from the initial 14.

The impeached deputy speaker and four other lawmakers had on Monday visited Ize-Iyamu at his private residence in Benin and pledged to support his election.

However, his impeachment was the sequel to a motion moved by the member representing Ikpoba-Okha state constituency, Mr Henry Okhuarobo, and seconded by Mr Marcus Onobun, of the Esan-West constituency.

Okhuarobo said, “Mr Speaker with me is a notice of impeachment of the deputy speaker of the House signed by two-third members of the house. The impeachment of the deputy speaker is on the ground of gross misconduct and divulging of official secrets.”

The lawmakers following deliberations on the petition unanimously adopted the motion through a voice vote.

The Speaker, thereafter, pronounced the deputy speaker impeached.

Also during plenary, the former Chief Whip of the House, Mr Henry Okhuarobo, was elevated to the position of the Leader, while his erstwhile deputy, Mr Marcus Onobun, was elevated to the position of Chief Whip.