The national leader of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the latest political development in Edo State, accusing Governor Godwin Obaseki of assaulting constitutional democracy in the state.
Tinubu made the remark in a statement personally signed by him on Friday and made available to Newsmen.
The statement came a day after the factional lawmakers loyal to the APC emerged and impeached Frank Okiye, the factional speaker who heads the faction loyal to Governor Obaseki and the People Democratic Party.
The attempt of the 17 lawmakers loyal to the APC to use the state Assembly Complex was thwarted by the arrival of Governor Obaseki to the complex and ordering the immediate removal of the complex roofs in an attempt to renovates the complex.
In his reaction, the national leader of the APC accused the governor of squandering the state treasury unnecessarily and acting cowardly, he also accused the governor of instigating and escalating the political atmosphere 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” Tinubu said.
” Not satisfied with 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.
First Obaseki sponsors hoodlums to deface, indeed destory parts of the House of Assembly building in Benin, feigning the building is undergoing renovation. Then he imports sands and gravels to prevent access to assembly complex.
In effect, the man 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 will of the public. This is tragic beyond words.
His refusal to allow the Edo House of Assembly to function, the governor’s actions are perverse.
This is cowardly act and a move to thward representative democracy in Edo.
No renovation has been planned for the state house building. No appropriation was made in the state budget. The only reason any renovation could be deem necessary is the destruction wrought by his own goons.
Governor Obaseki’s governance of Edo State recalls the worst excesses of our military past and represents a direct threat to the democratic order. By his refusal to permit duly elected members of the Edo state House of Assembly to perform their constitutional duties.
He betrayed contempt for the people of his state and unfortunately his ignorance of Nigeria constitutional order. As a governor he ought to know better than to obstruct the functioning of his own legislature, but perhaps he’s in need of a quick lesson.
Indeed, it is no coincidence that of the three arms of government, the power of the legislature are enumerated first, in our constitution. The legislature is the authority imbued with the power to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the federation and the states.
