The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) on Wednesday urged the Bayelsa House of Assembly to swear in three opposition lawmakers who won at the finals stage of election petitions at the appeal court.

Mr Udengs Eradiri, President of IYC, who made the all at a news conference in Yenagoa, condemned the exclusion of the opposition lawmakers after receiving their certificates of return from INEC.

Mr Alfred Belemote, APGA, Brass 2; Mr ‎Gabriel Ogbara, ADC, Ogbia 2; and Mr Gibson Munalayefa, LP, Ogbia 2, were denied admission to the house two months after securing victory.

Eradiri noted that the continued exclusion of the three lawmakers from the activities of the Bayelsa House of Assembly was unfair and injustice to the constituents who they represent.

He said: “The non-swearing in of the three honourable members who are Ijaw people and Bayelsa people have become a matter of concern and I call on the leadership of Bayelsa House of Assembly to swear them as a matter of injustice.

“Information at our disposal indicates that they already have their certificates of return, it is injustice to them and their constituents because issues concerning their constituencies are not discussed at the Bayelsa House of Assembly.

“That alone negates the oath of office of the speaker and the leadership of this state who took an oath to protect the rights and interests of our people and when you trample upon the rights of the people it is unacceptable.

“We urge the speaker of Bayelsa Assembly to do what is right and swear them in, we have received complaints from the constituents who are Ijaw people, there cannot be injustice by orchestrated by Ijaw People against Ijaw people,” Eradiri said.

The leadership of the House of Assembly had in the last few weeks come under criticism over its refusal to administer oath of office on three State Assembly members.

Speaker of Bayelsa House of Assembly, Hon Kombowei Benson, declined comments.

Bayelsa Commissioner of Information, Chief Jonathan Obueibite, dissociated the Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson from the controversy in Bayelsa House of Assembly.

“The Bayelsa governor has never interfered with the affairs of the State House of Assembly; the State Assembly is not subject to the unilateral control of the State Executive. The Governor and the Government will not interfere in the business of the State Assembly. It is an internal affair and the people should not drag the State Governor into it. As a former legislator, the Governor has promoted independence of the legislature and not interfered,” Obuebite said.

Obuebite also denied the claim that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kombowei advised the aggrieved State Assembly members-elect to plead with the Governor to be sworn-in.

“it is a lie and I challenge them to come forward with such evidence on the claim,” Obueite said.

•Photo shows IYC President Udengs Eradiri.

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