[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Campaign Council of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship flagbearer, has told the state governor and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Godwin Obaseki that his second term ambition is not worth the blood and life of citizens of the state.

Accusing the governor of been desperate of winning the September 19, governorship election, the APC governorship candidate campaign council, alleged that Obaseki has embarked on executing plans to prevent the people of the State from delivering a verdict on the four-year misrule of Obaseki at the polls with violence and other criminal acts of intimidation.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, the deputy head of the media and publicity committee of the APC National Campaign Council, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon said the governor and the PDP candidate have resorted to coercing the people of the state in desperation to get re-elected despite his rejection by the people.

He alleged that the governor and his party have engaged in illegal importation of dangerous arms and ammunition for thugs and criminals from neighboring PDP States, particularly Delta, with the sole aim of causing mayhem and disrupting the peaceful conduct of the election in most parts of Edo State.

According to Obahiagbon, “Less than one month to the Edo Governorship election, and with defeat staring Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his party of tax-collectors, the PDP, in the face, they have both abandoned their pretense at democracy and guided participation in the election, and brazenly embarked on the execution of their plans to prevent the people of Edo State from delivering a verdict on the four-year misrule of Obaseki at the polls on the 19th of September with violence and other criminal acts of intimidation.

“Let it be known by the whole world that the Governor of Edo State and his government, in continuation of their disregard for the rule of law, democratic ethics and constitutionalism, has intensified their illegal importation of dangerous arms and ammunition, as well as the daily recruitment and importation of notorious thugs and criminals from neighboring PDP States, particularly Delta, for the purpose of causing mayhem and disrupting the peaceful conduct of the election in most parts of Edo State.

“We have it on good authority that that the Edo State Government and members of its kitchen cabinet have drawn up a list of prominent APC leaders across Edo State that they gave targeted for maiming, physical assault, assassination, kidnapping and sponsored robbery attacks whilst also tinkering with the idea of using heavy duty trailers to orchestrate road accidents of APC leader, before or on the day of the September 19th Governorship elections.”

The campaign council said it was alarmed at the rapid multiplication of firearms in the state and the wanton violence and shooting that characterised the PDP campaign, causing residents to flee their homes upon hearing news of the outgoing Governor’s visit.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he police in Delta State have arrested a man for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl in Sapele Local Government Area of the state. A Closed-circuit television (CCTV) installed in the apartment where the incident took place reportedly caught the man after earlier denying involvement.

Sources told our correspondent that the suspect simply identified Jomaph committed the act when the victim had gone to use the convenience.

Jomaph, 30, allegedly carried out the crime last Wednesday.

Another source further stated that upon seeing the footage of the CCTV, the suspect started apologizing for his action until police operatives were invited to arrest him.

Confirming the incident, Delta Police spokesperson, DSP Onome Onowakpoyeya, said the victim was caught in CCTV footage after earlier denying his involvement.

“But later, they brought CCTV footage showing how the man went inside the toilet. I was told the man later agreed after he saw the footage. The man was arrested by police in Sapele.”

[dropcap]E[/dropcap]lder statesman and former minister of information, Chief Edwin Clark, has warned the Federal Government against scrapping the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for repentant militants in the once restive Niger Delta region.

Clark warned further that scrapping the programme could spell doom and crisis in the already tensed region, appealing that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration not to “Wake A Sleeping Lion.”

The convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) gave the warning on Monday in a zoom live press conference with journalists across Nigeria.

The former minister warned of the consequences of ending the programme which he claimed has helped checkmate the insecurity in the region.

Clark was speaking following reports that the Federal Government may scrap PAP by December this year on the recommendation of 4-man investigative panel headed by Amb. A. A. Lawal through the office of the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Mohammed Monguno (rtd).

The former lawmaker contended, “Just about 11 (eleven) days ago, I held a Press Briefing advising and cautioning the Vice President, His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to tread cautiously on Niger Delta Affairs, I have cause to, again, advice/warn the Federal Government, to desist from anything that will truncate the fragile peace that we have in the Niger Delta region.

“I say this because, just yesterday, rumours were rife, that the 4-man investigative panel headed by Amb. A. A. Lawal, set up by the Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Mohammed Monguno (rtd), to look into the activities of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has recommended the scrapping of the Programme by December this year, 2020.

“If this is true, it will be an epic example of what we say in local parlance ‘trouble dey sleep, yanga go wake am’. This is not a threat; it is stating the obvious of what will actually happen.

“When I got this information yesterday, my temper was high because how can a region which contributes so much to the economic growth, and by extension, political and social growth of the country be treated with so much disdain and spite.”

Clark appealed to President Buhari to still allow the amnesty programme to continue in the interest of promoting peace in the fragile region.

“The Federal Government, like I said earlier, through the Office of the National Security adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno, rtd, set up a 4-man Investigative Panel headed by Amb. A. A. Lawal, from Bauchi State and other three northern as members, on 28th February, 2020, and the job of this Panel, which all through its sitting, I understand, sat in the Office of the NSA, which was to end on 24th April, 2020, has lingered until today, they have, uptill this moment, taken over the administration of the PAP, operating from the NSA’s Office. Now we are getting information, that this ‘Investigative Panel’ is recommending the scrapping of the PAP by December this year, 2020.

“The question is, did Amb. Lawal and his team ever travel to the Niger Delta region to find out if the objective of setting up the Programme such as infrastructural development of sand filling; building low cost houses, building roads, etc, which are to be carried out by the PAP as its Second Phase activities contained in the Proclamation, been achieved?

“As someone outside of the region does he really understand or feel the sufferings of the people of the region? Also, what measures have been put in place by the Federal Government to fulfill its promises to the region such as setting up modular refineries, the relocation of the operational headquarters of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the Ogoni Clean-Up as contained in the 16-Point Agenda of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) which we presented to Mr. President at the Presidential Villa on 1st November, 2017?

“Our living condition in the region has worsened. The PAP should be allowed to continue for some more time.

“Once again, I wish to advise the Federal Government to tread cautiously, except they have prepared another ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’. Wake not a sleeping lion. This is not a threat; it is a clarion call for peace”, he added.

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]olonel Assimi Goita has emerged the head of the military junta in Mali that ousted the elected government of President Boubacar Keita on Tuesday. Goita introduced himself Wednesday at a meeting with the secretaries-generals of government ministries.

He chose the title of President.

“Let me introduce myself: I am Colonel Assimi Goita, the president of the
National Committee for the Salvation of the People,” he told the press at the meeting,

Until his appointment as head of the CNSP, Goita was head of special forces in central Mali.

One of the colonels who was constantly mentioned since the putsch yesterday, Colonel Malick DIAW, was named vice-president of the National Committee for People’s Salvation.

The coup in Mali started with a mutiny at Kati Garrison, 15 Kms from Bamako.

President Keita, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and others, who were arrested by the mutinous soldiers, are still being detained at the Kati barracks.

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith the 2023 general election in view, the debate about Igbo presidency has hit full gear. And as far as the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) is concerned, there are two names that have continued to feature prominently: former Abia State governor, now Senator representing Abia North District, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and former Rivers State governor, now Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. I’m an unwilling participant in this debate because I feel very strongly that the quest for Igbo presidency at this point in time is an unwelcome distraction. I mean, this is a time when Nigeria, beset by mounting economic and security challenges under the weight of which it is looking to collapse, is already becoming a failed state. The debate now ought to be about sitting round the table to discuss the way forward, not about which ethnic group should inherit the mess in 2023.

Having made my stance clear, let me say, regardless, that I feel compelled to contribute to the Igbo presidency debate because it has become imperative to set some records straight in view of unfolding events. Like I noted earlier, Orji Kalu and Amaechi’s names have continued to feature in this debate with respect to who stands a chance in the APC. The former’s quest for presidency has, of course, always been public knowledge. And the latter’s recent affirmation of his Igbo ethnicity has led to many arguing that he is interested in running for president, given the controversy that has always surrounded the Igbo origins of the Ikwere people of Rivers State, to which Amaechi belongs. Some have said he is only claiming Igbo identity because he wants to run for power, and that as far as they are concerned, Igbo presidency should be about the Southeast geopolitical zone, with Kalu often fronted as the ideal candidate. I beg to differ.

To be clear, the idea that Amaechi is ‘claiming Igbo’ because of ‘politics’ and should not thus be considered a potential Igbo president is nonsensical. He is Igbo. He has said time and time again that he is Igbo and even though some of his Ikwere kinsmen now say they are not Igbo, to the extent that Ikwere is now recognized as a separate ethnic group in the Nigerian constitution, it doesn’t change the fact of history and those like Amaechi who chose to remain Igbo must be accepted and accorded all the privileges of being Igbo. Yes, Amaechi has the right to contest for power in 2023 as ‘Igbo president.’ Igbo presidency should not be about Southeast because the zone doesn’t confer or deny ethnicity. Igbo is an ethnic group that cut across geopolitical zones, and if, as both Amaechi and Kalu are the two most prominent Igbo figures in the APC, the choice comes down to both of them, I make bold to say Amaechi will be a much better choice and Ndigbo should back him.

Both men’s pedigrees speak for them, loudly. And Igbo presidency should never be about just any Igbo, it should be about a competent Igbo who has track record. Both Kalu and Amaechi have been governors and their performances in office are there as reference points.

A few days ago, Kalu travelled to Abia in what was his first “official visit” to the state he governed for eight years – from 1999 to 2007 – since he came out of prison where he had been, ironically upon his initial conviction for misappropriation of public funds in those eight years. That ‘triumphant return’ to Abia is evidently a sort of subtle campaign, and it must have amazed many people that despite his record as governor there, there were still people trooping out to welcome him. It is what the elite has reduced the masses to. In that trip, he must have passed through roads riddled with portholes and streets filled with garbage. Those are, of course, the only legacy he left in the state – apart from imposing another of his kind as his successor to continue the legacy of poor governance from which Abia has failed to recover in more than two decades.

Of all Southeast states, Abia has become the butt of jokes and a convenient excuse for those who want to pure invective on Ndigbo. And no other person has more responsibility for this than Kalu. Will he do better as president? Maybe. But we must start from the known to the unknown. And what is known is that he made a mess of his stewardship in Abia.

Amaechi on the other hand, is no saint. But in terms of performance in office as governor, he did much better. This kind of thing must count if Nigeria must get out of the the doldrums it is in presently. Leadership selection must be based on competence and track record, even if it has to be rotated zone by zone or from one ethnic group to the other. To be sure, Amaechi and Kalu cannot be the best the Igbo can offer in this regard. However, my point is that if it comes down to choosing one of the two, the former Rivers governor is, for me, the better choice.

But ultimately, I do not think that a president of Igbo extraction is realisable in 2023, neither am I convinced that it is what the Igbo need at his stage. The solution to Nigeria’s existential crisis is not an Igbo president, it is sitting round a table and renegotiating the terms of the country’s existence. It is evolving common sense systems that have worked elsewhere and shunning the hypocrisy of doing the wrong things for personal or group interest and expecting the right results. It is about allowing merit and competence to take precedence over quota, favouritism and nepotism, and evolving systems that would encourage these.

I do not think that an Igbo president can restructure Nigeria. Such president would be susceptible to blackmail and would have staunch opposition to contend with. At this rate, an Igbo person taking power in 2023 would be offering his head to take the blame for the country’s intractable challenges. It would be an unwelcome distraction. The Igbo must stay focused on the quest for a restructured Nigeria, not for an Igbo president. But like I said, should there be a situation where they have to chose between Amaechi and Kalu, the better choice, obviously, should be Amaechi. The contention about the authenticity of his Igbo origins should never be a factor. The Igbo cannot afford to play until a certain agenda of bringing division among them.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here is no denying the fact that not a few people are at the moment convinced that the supporters that are rallying round Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) flag bearer, ahead of the upcoming September 19 election are more than those that are supporting the party’s major opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The foregoing view seems paradoxical, and regardless of the fact that its gubernatorial flag bearer, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is the incumbent governor of Edo State.

“Why are many people convinced that the supporters that are rallying round Ize-Iyamu are more than the ones rallying round Mr. Godwin Obaseki?” You may have being tempted to ask. The reason cannot be farfetched given the fact that since his Campaign Train zoomed off from the Sports Complex of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Saturday, August 8, 2020 Ize-Iyamu has unarguably been pulling massive crowd as evidenced with the Whistle Stop of his Campaign Train in Igueben, Uromi, Irrua and other places where the Campaign Train made Whistle Stops.

Permit me to say that why the issue became newsy to this writer is that a friend of mine met me at Ojota Bus Stop in Lagos. In the course of our interaction, amidst backslapping, he responded to an aspect of the discussion that bordered on the ongoing electioneering campaign in Edo State by saying that, “They that be with Ize-Iyamu are more than they that be with them”. The foregoing statement no doubt formed the basis of the headline of this piece.

Not long after we parted to our different destinations, his statement came as a reminiscent of the scripture in 2 Kings chapter 6 verse 16 that says “And he answered, Fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them”.

For the sake of clarity, the foregoing scripture came about when one of Elisha’s servants, ahead of a war between Syria and Israel saw that a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And Elisha‘s servant said unto him, “Alas, my master! How shall we do?”

Against the foregoing backdrop, there is no denying the fact that Ize-Iyamu’s Campaign team led by the governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje may have being confronted with the fear of phantom crowd that are always on the social media kicking against Ize-Iyamu’s candidacy.

While relating the foregoing scripture to the electioneering realities in Edo State, my friend said supporters of Ize-Iyamu’s major opponent in the election were merely rallying round him by virtue of being the incumbent governor and that by that, they thought they will be financially rewarded for their support as he is in charge of the State’s treasury.

Again, he explained that while the APC campaign team is aggressively embarking on local government to local government campaigns, its opponents, the PDP, is carrying out ward to ward campaigns. “Brother Asabor, who do you think will achieve better result?” He asked the foregoing question having seen the massive crowd which Ize-Iyamu campaign train gathered at each whistle stop and the scanty and phantom crowd of supporters the PDP attracted from ward to ward?

He buttressed his view by saying that majority of PDP’s supporters ahead of the election are merely Facebook enthusiasts who can barely write a 50-word political analysis. He said, “All they do is to counter well-articulated write-ups posted by writers from opposition camps.

Another electioneering handicap which the Edo PDP and its supporters are faced with is that of not seeing the reality of defeat looming, come September 19, 2020.

Without any iota of exaggeration, the fact is that just the same way spiritual blindness is exemplified in the foregoing scripture; members of the opposition are somewhat politically blind. How else can one describe anyone that sees defeat fast coming and kept boasting that he is on ground?

As explained in the foregoing scriptures that say, “And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

Metaphorically put, is it not high time those that are in opposition to Iyamu’s candidacy began to see the “hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Iyamu through the eyes of his SIMPLE agenda – a document he explained, encapsulated the area of focus of his administration if he wins the September 19 election.

According to him, the acronym ‘SIMPLE’ stands for Security, Infrastructure Development, Manpower Development, Public/Private Partnership, and Leadership by example and Employment creation.

The governorship candidate also said the agenda, which had being put into a book form, was also a ‘SMART’ document, saying, “By this, I mean it is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, and Realistic and of course, Time-bound.”

As an enthusiast of metaphor as a genre of communication, permit me to say that there are numerous horses and chariots of fire all around Ize-Iyamu that his traducers’ appear not to be seeing, and should be afraid of.

First and foremost, his recent electioneering campaigns across the 18 local government areas in Edo State have proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is truly a crowd puller.

Ostensibly buttressing the foregoing is the former member, House of Representatives and Vice Chairman, National Campaign Council, All Progressives Congress, APC, for the September 19 Governorship Elections in Edo State, Hon Patrick Obahiagbon, aka Igodomigodo, in a media parley recently where he saw the hills that are full of horses and chariots of fire just in the same way Elisha’s servant spiritually saw it. He  noted: “I am not one to deceive myself that the election is going to be a tea party for the APC, not necessarily because of the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, but primarily due to the fact that you cannot dismiss the rival Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo state.”

His words: “The good news is that Edo state is predominantly a progressive state and the electorate has always voted for progressive politics which APC represents. Also of more fundamental importance is the fact that the combination of Pastor Osagie Ize lyamu and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is an unconquerable political armada to contend with come September 19.” “The political question in Edo state for a period of time has been, “Are you with Oshiomhole or Ize lyamu?” And now that they are together, Edo is guaranteed to be returned back to the trajectory of progressive politics with APC back in Osadebe Avenue, Benin City after the governorship elections,”

To the view of this writer, it will take a landslide victory to make Ize-Iyamu’s traducers to understand that “They That Be With Ize-Iyamu Are More Than They That Be With Them.”

By: Philip Ike Abiagom

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Edo State House of Assembly saga took a new twist on Thursday, August 6, when dozens of heavily armed security operatives stormed the complex. As early as 8 am, operatives attached to the Police Mobile Force and Operation Thunderstorm occupied the complex in Benin City, the state capital. They were later joined by personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), preventing entry and exit into the Assembly premises.

The development as it was gathered was purportedly to forestall an alleged plan to attack the legislative building by some unnamed persons. A short while after the police took over the complex, some supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo thronged the scene, chanting solidarity songs in support of the current leadership of the Assembly.

While that was going on, the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is seeking re-election on the PDP platform, also arrived at the complex alongside the Speaker of the House, Frank Okiye, and went straight into the Assembly premises without resistance from the security operatives.

Impeachment Of Deputy Speaker

A day before the drama, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, was impeached by the lawmakers on grounds of alleged gross misconduct.

The impeachment was sequel to a motion moved by Henry Okhuarobo (Ikpba-Okha) state constituency and seconded by Marcus Onobun (Esan West) state constituency

Speaking, Okhuarobo said, “Mr. Speaker with me is a notice of impeachment of the Deputy Speaker of the house signed by two-third members of the house.

“The impeachment of the Deputy Speaker is on the grounds of gross misconduct and divulging of official secrets,” Okhuarobo said. The lawmakers following deliberations on the petition unanimously adopted the motion through a voice -vote.

The Speaker, Francis Okiye, thereafter pronounced the deputy speaker impeached.

In his place, Roland Asoro was made the Deputy Speaker of the House shortly after he was nominated and the oath of office and allegiance administered on him by the Speaker.

The motion for the nomination of Asoro as the new Deputy speaker was moved by Hon. Emmanuel Okoduwa (Esan North East I) and seconded by Ephraim Aluebhosele (IEsan South-East).

Invasion Of Assembly

The invasion of the Assembly turned into a drama when Obaseki left the premises after addressing the supporters, as trucks drove to the complex where they off-loaded sand and gravel in front of the Assembly in what the government explained was part of an ongoing reconstruction work at the complex.

Also, some unknown persons climbed the roof of the complex where they removed the mace, as others believed to be construction workers were also seen removing the rooftop of the building in what appeared to be part of the renovation exercise. When asked why they were taking such action, they said they were working on instructions from the appropriate authorities.

Despite the unsettling events at the complex, the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, and Okiye inspected the ongoing work at the site where they unveiled a prototype for the rebuilding of the Assembly Complex.

The blockade of the Assembly complex as well as the removal of its rooftop, which seemed to be a new twist in the political sphere in the state, have led to a war of words between the PDP and the APC.

On the same day, another drama played out with the reported impeachment of the Speaker, Okiye, by 17 lawmakers. The 17 lawmakers were said to have met at an undisclosed location where they impeached Okiye.

Fourteen of those lawmakers were those who were not inaugurated as lawmakers and whose seats were controversially declared vacant by the minority 10 lawmakers led by Okiye.

The recent crisis in the House is believed to be the continuation of the logjam occasioned by the controversial inauguration of the legislature on June 17, 2019, which saw only 10 members being sworn-in by Obaseki. Those who were not sworn-in were said to have been loyal to Oshiomhole, with whom Obaseki had become estranged in the events leading to the 2019 general election.

The 17 lawmakers after their inauguration, sat, sacked Okiye as Speaker and elected Hon. Victor Edoror to replace him.

Malami Fingered In Crisis

While reacting to his purported removal, Okiye said the action of the 17 lawmakers attempting to take over the House was illegal, saying they were misguiding the Attorney General of Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.

The newly inaugurated lawmakers were said to have the backing of Malami, who had allegedly directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to provide security for them.

The AGF, who acted on a petition by the 17 lawmakers’ lawyer, had, in a memo dated August 5, 2020, requested the IGP to “kindly provide adequate security measures for the inauguration of the 17 members and the subsequent sittings at the Edo State House of Assembly”. This led to Thursday’s drama that played out at the Assembly premises.

According to Okiye in his reaction, “The AGF did not have all the facts relevant to the matter, before it issued the advisory and directive to the police to intervene in the affairs of the Edo State House of Assembly.”

The embattled Speaker, who shared details of pending and concluded litigation having a bearing on the Assembly, said, the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, with Suit no. FHC/PH/CS/159/19, gave a final judgment on September 19, 2019, and held that the Assembly was properly inaugurated on June 17, 2019, and that the House is sitting and carrying out its functions.”

He added, “The Court also restrained the Governor of Edo State or any other person from issuing the second proclamation to restart the House.

“Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/1582/2019: Rt. Hon. Victor Sabor Edoror and 13 others against Hon. Frank Okiye (The Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and Anor). This is a suit filed by the then 14 members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly, who refused to take the oath of office and consequent upon which their seats were declared vacant by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly. They filed this suit to challenge the declaration of their seats vacant by the Edo State House of Assembly. The case is still pending in Federal High Court No. 4, Abuja.

“Suit No. B/81/OS/2019: Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror and 2 others vs Hon. Frank Okiye and others. In this suit, the claimants who were members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly, who refused to take the oath of office, challenged the proclamation made by the Governor of Edo State to hold the first sitting of the House on the 17th day of June 2019 and election of officers of the House. This suit is currently pending before Hon. Justice S. A. Omonua.

“From the foregoing, it is clear that all matters relating to the functioning or otherwise of the Edo State House of Assembly and/or its members are sub judice,” the Speaker added.

Edoror, while responding, explained that the issues in court were already being sorted out and could not be a hindrance to his assumption.

He said, “We that went to court can withdraw and they that went to court can also withdraw. We have two cases in court, the one they sued us for and the one we sued them for and the one that they sued. It was Hon Yekini Idiaye that went to court and he is here with us and I am the one that sued and I am here and since we have been inaugurated, arrangement is on to withdraw my case and arrangements are in place too for Hon Yekini to withdraw his case, once that is done, no litigation in court. But if they so wish that what we have done is not legal in their sight, they should go to court. We have been in court and we have been patient for one year and a half now.”

Edoror also maintained that his group had begun sitting and would continue to hold plenary sessions, “If possible, we would access the Assembly building and sit there. The House of Assembly is our property. We are not under the governor’s appendage. We are an independent organ. The governor, in the name of renovation, cannot disturb our proceedings. If it is possible, we will go there and sit. However, our inability to access the complex will not hinder the legislative process in the state. We will continue to sit for the people.

“Business has started, we are ready for business because the legislative arm of government has suffered a great deal, and there has been no work since the beginning of this session. We have a lot of work to do, a lot of backlogs, so we have started.”

Tinubu, Atiku, Others Worried

Reactions have continued to trail the crisis with the ruling APC and opposition PDP pointing accusing fingers at each other.

National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in a statement, blamed Obaseki for the political tension in the state.

Tinubu maintained that Obaseki’s impeachable offence and strong “arm tactics of dictators” is the cause of the political violence in the state.

“The recent actions of the Governor of Edo State represent the gravest possible assault on constitutional democracy and the rule of law and escalation of violence and tension in the state he purports to govern.

“Not satisfied with making a mockery of our constitution by blocking the timely inauguration of two-thirds of the elected members of the Edo State House of Assembly, Governor Obaseki has now resorted to the strong-arm tactics of dictators,” he added.

Tinubu said the governor’s actions showed that he has placed himself above the legislature, “deciding who gets in and who is shut out” and he has “betrayed contempt for the people of his state and, unfortunately, his ignorance of Nigeria’s constitutional order.

“As a Governor he ought to know better than to obstruct the functioning of his own legislature, but perhaps he is in need of a quick lesson,” Tinubu said.

The former Lagos State governor said Obaseki has spent state funds to thwart the very apparatus of the state government he was sworn to uphold.

“He has squandered public money to defeat the very will of the public. This is tragic beyond words,” Tinubu said.

The PDP, while addressing newsmen a day after the Assembly incident, frowned on the AGF’s directive to provide security for the Edoror group.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, said “Perhaps, the Attorney General should be made aware that the said individuals have been absent for 180 days during which they abandoned their mandate and for which their seats were declared vacant in line with the rules of the legislature and the laws of the federation.”

The party also took a swipe at Tinubu for likening Governor Obaseki to a dictator.

Tinubu had described Obaseki as a dictator following the controversy that engulfed the House. Replying the former Lagos State governor, PDP said: “Our campaign notes that Asiwaju’s position also confirms allegations that some people in the APC are bitter with Governor Godwin Obaseki because he (Obaseki) refused to allow the APC cabal to have access to Edo treasury as well as his refusal to foist illegal levies and taxes on the people.

“It is however imperative for leaders like Asiwaju not to allow himself to be dragged into putting personal and group pecuniary and political interests over and above the collective interest and wellbeing of the people of Edo State.”

The APC on its part said in an assembly of 24 people, seven members cannot be greater than 17 members. The party in a statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena also condemned the sudden decision to renovate the state Assembly Complex, describing it as a return to the dark days of the PDP.

“While we urge our security services to stay vigilant and be guided by the law in its efforts to prevent a breakdown of law and order, we also call on all parties and their proxies to ensure peace and adherence to the rule of law in all their actions.

“Amid the leadership crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly, the sudden renovation of the state’s legislative complex purportedly by the state government takes us back to the backward days of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) administrations which normalised the desecration of other arms of governments to achieve political ends.”

It said Nigerians would also recall how the ‘PDP introduced the repugnant 16 is greater than 19 political formula’, adding that by all standards, it is illegal to deny duly elected legislators their constitutional rights to represent their constituencies in government.

“For the 24-member Edo State House of Assembly, 7 cannot be greater than 17. Those days are gone.

“The independence of the legislature as an important arm of government must be guaranteed and protected without interference from the government (executive), partisans and other non-state actors. The activities of the Edo State government on the State House of Assembly are a brazen assault on our constitution and the rule of law.

“The governorship election in Edo state is forthcoming. The electorate must be allowed to cast their votes peacefully and not under threats of violence by the PDP and the state government,” APC added.

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, stated that the ongoing crisis in the House of Assembly poses a threat to the coming governorship election in the state.

According to Atiku, “Nigeria has been on edge due to the brinkmanship of those charged with democratic leadership. We must, as a nation, not escalate the already tense atmosphere in our polity.

“What is happening in Edo State is a threat to constitutional order nationwide, and I strongly urge belligerent forces to reign in their proxies and abide by the rule of law. As I have previously said, without the rule of law, there will be no rule at all.

“The current goings-on portend grave danger, not only to law and order in that state but to the coming Edo elections.

“The people of Edo State should be allowed to choose who they wish to govern them, and that choice is to be made on September 19, 2020. Pending then, everything legally possible must be done to preserve the status quo.”

Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria in its reaction, accused Obaseki of running an autocratic government in the state.

The Conference condemned the siege on the State Assembly by men suspected to be loyal to the governor.

The statement, which was signed by the conference on behalf of its chairman, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, noted that the removal of the roof of the Assembly building is an injury to Nigeria’s democracy and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.

According to the statement, the Speakers described the brazen manner the suspected political thugs took over the Assembly, removed the roof and broke the symbolic mace, which were all captured in a recorded video, as sheer recklessness.

The Conference accused the state government headed by Obaseki as “autocratic and dictatorial”, adding that whatever defence the latter has for the action does not “hold any water”.

“It is sheer recklessness and a proof of dictatorship for a governor who is supposed to be the head of the executive arm of government to decide to take charge of another arm through questionable means like it happened in Edo.

“There were reports linking the removal of the roof and the offloading of gravel at the complex to purported plans by the government to renovate the Assembly but we think this is an afterthought,” the statement read in part.

The Conference wondered how the idea of renovating the Assembly suddenly came up just weeks to the governorship election in the state and in such manner creating a mockery of the electioneering process and democracy.

“Why is the government just realising the need to renovate the complex at the twilight of the administration? What happens to the building if the governor does not return? What happens if the next administration does not take that direction?

The statement further questioned the role played by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Babatunde Kokumo, accusing him of allowing himself to be used as a tool to perpetrate an attack on democracy in the way the drama panned out at the Assembly complex in the state.

While strongly warning the governor and those participating in the electoral process in the state to desist from doing anything that would affect the smooth running of the Edo House of Assembly, the Speakers reminded Obaseki that the removal of the Assembly roof does not stop the lawmakers from sitting as the Constitution of the country does not limit plenaries to the hallowed chamber alone.

Factional Speaker Warns Obaseki

Meanwhile, the factional Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Victor Edoror, has warned Governor Obaseki not to violate constitutional provisions, if he does not want to be impeached.

Edoror, who reportedly spoke after Wednesday’s sitting of his faction at an undisclosed address at the Government Reserved Area of the state, said the decisions taken at the sitting were binding, noting that if the executive refused to implement them, it would have grave constitutional implications.

When reminded that he had always maintained that his group was not out to impeach the governor, Edoror replied, “If they refuse to carry out our instructions, it has huge constitutional implications.  I don’t think they can afford to make that mistake.

“We are not ready to impeach, unless they demand it by trying to flout provisions of the constitution. You cannot just impeach anybody unless he commits an offence

“We can’t impeach anyone who does not go against the law. Offences must have been committed, constitutional provisions must have been violated before talking about impeachment. For us, we don’t intend to impeach anyone.”

He praised members of the faction for a rancour-free deliberation, adding,” We received petitions, we deliberated and made pronouncements on issues of state importance.

He also assured the people of the state of quality representation and deliberation.

The factional speaker said, “We are going to make sure that the people of Edo receive the dividends of democracy. We are not out to impeach anybody contrary to what is being peddled around. We are out to give legislation to the people and provide quality service. We have no ulterior motive.”

The group, while condemning the destruction of the Anthony Enahoro Complex of the State House of Assembly, said it was unsafe for members to sit there.

The faction also debated the petitions brought before it. It described as unlawful the removal of the chairmen of Etsako East, Esan West and Etsako West, saying their removal was an infringement to their fundamental human rights and abuse of office.

The Speaker also set up a five-man committee to investigate the matter and report back to the house.

The house adjourned to 18 August, 2020.