The Edo State House of Assembly saga took another twist on Wednesday as the state government reacted to the resolution of the Senate directing Governor Godwin Obaseki to issue a fresh proclamation for the inauguration of the state Assembly, which the governor has described as “misconceived.”
The Senate had on Tuesday passed a resolution asking the governor to issue a fresh proclamation for the inauguration of the state parliament, which the governor insisted has already been done on June 17. Obaseki had on Monday said that he would not issue a fresh proclamation letter for the inauguration of the 7th Edo State House of Assembly.
The governor in a statement signed by Osarodion Ogie, secretary to the Edo State Government, on Wednesday said the Senate was acting under political pressure from highly placed individuals whose intentions are to control the state even as he hinted that nobody would be allowed to control the state from Abuja. This was a veiled reference to the national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adam Oshiomhole and his cohorts who are alleged to be the brain behind the crisis in the state.
Obaseki said: “The Edo State government watched with alarm today as the distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a step that was not totally unexpected, purported to pass a resolution in the following terms: – Directing the Governor of Edo State to issue a fresh proclamation for the inauguration of the Edo state house of assembly, and ordering a fresh inauguration of the Edo state house of assembly within one (1) week from the date of the said resolution.
“As earlier mentioned, this move was not unexpected in the light of the enormous political pressure which had been brought to bear on the officers and members of the distinguished Senate by the highly-placed and powerful persons who are intent on foisting their will and choices on the good people of Edo state.
“This is borne out by the recorded statements made by one Seid Oshiomhole (a member-elect and younger brother of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole) wherein he boasted that both the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan and the speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila have been instructed on what to do in this matter.”
Obaseki stated that the Senate was aware of at least three suits pending before various courts wherein the factual and legal dispute regarding the Edo State House of Assembly’s inauguration were submitted.
He added that the pronouncements of the Distinguished Senate on the subject (with respect) is clearly misconceived and would amount to interference in the role of the courts which may, in fact, constitute contempt with which the governor would not wish to be associated.
“The government of Edo State firmly believes that our state is not a colony or a vassal of any person or persons exercising power in Abuja and we shall take all necessary steps within the ambit of the law to defend and validate our position and actions on this matter.
“We call on all persons of goodwill to call the powerful wielders of ‘power and authority” in Abuja and elsewhere to refrain from acts which are clearly unconstitutional, undemocratic and a flagrant disrespect for the principle of due process and separation of powers.
