Edo House of Assembly

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday warned the leadership of the Nigerian Senate not to allow powerful persons to set his state on fire in their quest to satisfy their thirst for power.

Obaseki’s warning came on the heels of the Senate resolution on Edo Assembly crisis, directing him to issue a fresh proclamation for the inauguration of a new assembly in the state.

In a statement issued and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, Governor Obaseki said it was unfortunate that the lawmakers would act in flagrant breach of various court orders.

“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 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.”

The governor noted that the chairman and members of the adhoc committee of the Senate which visited the state were made aware of the existence of at least three suits pending before various courts, wherein the factual and legal dispute regarding the Edo State House of Assembly inauguration have been submitted for resolution.

He said the adhoc committee also failed to inform the Senate of the existence of a valid injunction in Suit No FHC/B/OS/70/2019 wherein the Federal High Court restrained various parties from interfering in any manner with the activities of the Edo State House of Assembly.

“In point of fact in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/159/2019, the National Assembly, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate and Speaker of House of Representatives, amongst others were specifically ordered by the Federal High Court to maintain the status quo as at 25th July, 2019.

“The Edo State Government is further aware that in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/815/2019, wherein the Clerk and the National Assembly are defendants before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the National Assembly and the Clerk have not only been duly served with the processes but have entered appearance in the matter.

“We are also concerned that members of the distinguished Senate appear to have very scant regard for the principle of separation of powers as enshrined in our Constitution, which is manifested by their taking over the functions of the judiciary in dispute resolution and giving directives to the governor of a state who is certainly not subject to the supervision of the National Assembly,” the statement added.

The governor maintained that there was nowhere in the nation’s Constitution, particularly in Section 11(4) which gives the National Assembly the powers to take over any House of Assembly.