The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Elizabeth Ativie, has stepped down from the role.

The speaker who was sworn in on May 3 this year decided to step down following a motion by Folly Ogedengbe, the Assembly’s majority Leader and seconded by the member representing Oredo West, Chris Okaeben.

‎Ogedengbe said the change was necessary in order to ensure fairness in the political system, so that the three senatorial districts would be represented.

The incumbent State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, hails from Edo North senatorial district while his deputy, Pius Odubu, and the speaker Ativie hail from Edo South.

Ativie was replaced by Justin Okonoboh, former Deputy Speaker, by 18 out of the 24 members of the House and sworn in at about 11am on Monday. Okonoboh is from Igueben constituency in Edo Central senatorial district.

It would be recalled that Ativie was sworn in on May ‎3 her predecessor, Victor Edoror, was impeached.

Ativie, who now takes over as Deputy Speaker of the house, expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for giving her the opportunity to serve and urged them to accord same to her successor.

She said, “Although this is a huge a difficult sacrifice to make, I believe that it should be done for the sake of the people of Edo State. No sacrifice will be too big to pay in meeting the yearning aspirations of or people, who elected us to this House‎.

“Today, I bury my pride and my ambition for the general good of the people and the state, through which I emerged as a legislator.”