Edo Assembly: Obaseki dares APC

Edo Gov Godwin Obaseki has responded to the directive by the Federal Parliament that gave him seven days to make a fresh proclamation of the state ninth assembly—or has the state legislature taken over.

The state government described the move by the House of Representatives as unconstitutional.

Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., in statement on Thursday   said that the Nigerian Constitution does not in any way stipulate that the House of Representatives or even the National Assembly has the right or power to shut down a State House of Assembly.”

He said such power is expressly excluded by the constitution.

He advised “those interested parties who sit in positions of authority in Abuja and are using their offices to influence the House of Representatives to take note that we all ultimately owe a debt of accountability to the good people of Edo State for our actions”.

That could only be a subtle reference to the APC national chairman Adams Oshiomhole who has been at loggerheads with Obaseki for almost a year now.

The crisis has not only jeopardised the Onaseki’s second-term bid, it has also pushed the JJC governor into a power play that pits him indirectly against his party APC.

Weeks ago, Obaseki swung the state assembly inauguration such that the Speaker elected was from the minority party—PDP.

But the APC insists minority cannot rule the majority, and, as such, might stop at nothing, including moving the NASS, where possible, to ensure party supremacy

The lower chamber—and indeed the upper house—is predominantly APC.

Apparently the ninth national assembly has indicated its readiness to kowtow to party leadership.

But the Edo government said it was appalled and disappointed at the gross illegality and abuse of process by the House of Representatives.

“It must first of all be pointed out that the emergency supervisory powers over the activities of State Houses of Assembly which are contained in Section 11 of the Constitution of our Republic are expressly donated to “The National Assembly” and not one individual arm of it.

“These powers certainly do not extend to issuing directives to a duly elected State Governor to unlawfully repeat an act which has already been fully carried out in line with the Constitution.

“It has further not been alleged or concluded by anyone that the Edo State House of Assembly is unable to sit.

“In fact, whenever the ‘self-exiled’ members-elect so choose, they can join their colleagues in plenary in Benin City.

“Suffice it to say, however, that there is nowhere in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where the House of Representatives or even the National Assembly for that matter, is granted the right or power to shut down a State House of Assembly, in point of fact such power is expressly excluded by the Constitution,” the SSG said.

“We must state that the final verdict in this matter will ultimately be rendered by the good people of Edo State, for whose benefit Government exists. We are certain therefore that this illegality will not stand.”