The APC State Media Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship election has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of personally leading thugs to vandalize the complex of the Edo House of Assembly as part of his bid to enforce the continuation of what it described as an "illegal formation of a partial Assembly."

Reacting to the blockade of the Edo Assembly on Thursday by security officials, Mr. John Mayaki, the Chairman of the State Media Campaign Council, in a statement forwarded to Igbere TV, claimed that the Governor besieged the complex out of fear that his illegal house of just 5 members will be overturned and replaced with a more representative Assembly.

He said: "The outgoing Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has placed the independence of the legislative arm and the democracy of Edo State on trial."

"He has ordered the vandalism ruin and destruction of the Assembly complex under the pretense of a renovation exercise out of fear that his illegally-formed Assembly of just four members will be overturned and replaced with a more representative one."

"It should be recalled that National Assembly ruled that the Assembly formed by Mr. Godwin Obaseki last year after abducting some members-elect dead in the night was illegally done and, therefore, is unknown to law. Regardless of this, and loud outcry from the people of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki persisted in the illegality and denied representation to 14 members."

"Since then, five more members, led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, have since renounced the illegal gathering of Mr. Godwin Obaseki and maintained their support for the All Progressives Congress."

"Out of an Assembly of 24 members, 19 members have backed out of Obaseki's illegality and declared their support for the APC. Is it not against common logic and all principles of democracy for the Governor to claim to have an Assembly of just 5 members out of the elected 24?"

"The Governor has created needless panic and fear in the state once again because he is afraid that the 19 members, who represent an overwhelming majority, will set aside his illegality. He has invaded the Assembly complex, and the adjoining Ring Road, with thugs and all manner of people to block the Assembly complex, while also commissioning its destruction, including roof removal to prevent any sitting."

"It amounts to Executive recklessness, disregard for the principle of separation of powers, and complete irresponsibility for Mr. Godwin Obaseki to insist he must dictate to the House of Assembly on who it must elect as Speaker, more so with just the support of 5 members out of elected 24."

PDP Kicks

Meanwhile, the PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, charged the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed to immediately stop the invasion and attempt to forceful takeover the Edo state House of Assembly by security operatives.

The party argued that the invasion and occupation of the state legislature by security agents allegedly deployed by sacked national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, is a direct coup against the democratic order of Edo state and a recipe for anarchy, chaos and bloodletting.

“We urge the Inspector General to act with dispatch to curb this nefarious situation, which has heightened tension in the state, and if not halted, may results in a bloody clash as the citizens are already charged to defend their symbol of democracy from a forceful takeover.

“The Police hierarchy is urged to note that this provocative and lawless act by the APC is part of its plans to overheat the polity and create a security situation with the view to unleash violence on the people, derail the democratic order in the state and blame it on security agencies.

“We condemn this notorious resort to self help by the APC and their agents to forcefully takeover power in Edo state through the back door.

“Our party has been informed that the plot is to use the illegal security operation to seize the processes of the House of Assembly and illegally inaugurate certain individuals whose seats have been lawfully declared vacant with plans to use them to pull down democratic structure in the state.

“The PDP has also been made aware of grand plots by Oshiomhole, working in alliance with the impeached Deputy Speaker of the Edo state House of Assembly, to import a fake mace, cause anarchy and then push for the imposition of a state of emergency in the state, seeing that they cannot win the forthcoming governorship election.

“Our party therefore charges the IG to wade in and immediately withdraw the illegally deployed security officers and protect democracy and peace in Edo state.

“Our nation cannot afford to have a breakdown of law and order in Edo state at this critical time as such is capable of having a spiral effect on other states in the Niger Delta region, which will further result in dire consequences to our nation.

“We therefore restate our call to President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in Adams Oshiomhole before he triggers a serious crisis in this country,” the statement forwarded to Igbere TV, Thursday, read.

https://igberetvnews.com/1360575/obaseki-vandalizing-edo-assembly-complex-impose-illegal-minority-rule-apc/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Nicholas4:
Oshiomhole did same