Edo Assembly Crisis: Members elect set for war with Obaseki for failure to issue letter of proclamation

ABIODUN JIMOH, BENIN CITY

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, Edo State chapter, has taken a new twist as the newly elected Edo State House of Assembly members poised for war against governor Godwin Obaseki for failure to issue letter of proclamation to enable the house function.

The elected legislatures hereby appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to impress on governor Obaseki to do the needful, and avoid constitutional crisis.

Making the appeal on behalf of the nineteen lawmakers during a press briefing held at the NUJ press centre in Benin City, Hon. Washington Osifo, member representing Uhunmwonde Constituency said failure to resolve it may lead to war with the governor.

He said: “We urge all well meaning individuals including our well respected Royal Father, His Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the leadership of our party, the All Progressives Congress, APC and the leadership of the National Assembly to prevail on Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State to immediately issue the letter of proclamation to enable the Edo State House of Assembly to function and to avoid serious constitutional crisis.

“The deliberate attempt by the governor not to have inaugurated the house when other states of the federation have done theirs amount to usurping the powers of the legislators.

“It is also common knowledge that the governor, no matter how powerful, cannot impose individuals either as speaker or deputy speaker on the legislators. At best, he can only lobby for his preferred candidates as was recently witnessed at the national assembly.”

He however called on the governor of the state to follow the constitution to avoid vacuum. “Whereas, the governor by virtue of section 105 (3) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is constitutionally required to immediately issue a letter of proclamation for the inauguration of the new assembly to avoid vacuum.

“Whereas, there cannot be democracy without the legislature, because it is the legislature that gives credence to democracy.”

Meanwhile, the State Chairman of APC, Barr. Anslem Ojezua, said the leadership of the party has agreed on the composition of the Assembly leadership.

“I don’t see any constitutional crisis, because, we met only yesterday and we have agreed as a party on how the leadership of the Assembly should be constituted.

“I expect that Mr. Governor will issue the proclamation any time now. But I don’t see any constitutional crisis at all. As you can see, everything is moving smoothly.”