…14 members seat declared vacant
…matter taken to Court by 14 former members-elect
… they want to create anarchy
On August 6, 2020, we watched with disdain a failed attempt by some politicians led by the disgraced former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, and some former members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly to create anarchy in the State. We are, however, pleased to see the way Edo people stood against these impostors. By this singular act, our people have shown that never will they hand the state over to godfathers and have demonstrated their commitment to a rebranded new Edo.
We in the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are committed to upholding the rule of law and order. Once again, we say that the 14 men who invaded Benin on August 6 are not members of the Edo State House of Assembly but members-elect, whose seats were validly declared vacant following their refusal to make themselves available for swearing-in upon the proclamation and inauguration of the assembly by Governor Godwin Obaseki. The court affirmed that the Assembly was properly inaugurated.
As at today, the Edo State House of Assembly consists of 10 members, hence the need to remind those saying they constitute majority in the Assembly that their claim is baseless. There is a subsisting action on the matter that was taken to court by the same non-attending now former members-elect and a decision has not been reached. Until the matter is resolved at the court, that these men have applied to, they should not attempt to take laws into their hands. The response of the Edo people to their failed take-over should serve as a constant reminder to them.
The show put up by these former members-elect under the supervision of Adams Oshiomhole, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzondima, is at best a comedy of errors. No serious-minded person can take them serious and they are fully aware that their latest attempt to truncate the peace we currently enjoy in Edo has failed. The business of a House of Assembly is a serious one and cannot be conducted in the private house or property of an individual.
We call on the police and other security agencies in Edo to be guided by the law as they discharge their duties. We know the marauders in their usual manner will attempt to use security outfits to achieve their wicked goal of destroying and compromising the peace we currently enjoy in Edo, but we are confident that the security agencies will not give in to their frivolous demands. The security Agencies must not be used to unsettle and cause chaos in Edo. Nothing could be more important than peace as the election date approaches.
The speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly remains Rt. Hon Frank Okiye and he must be accorded the respect he deserves.
We call on the police to arrest any person or group of persons who lay claim to that office and parade themselves as members of Edo State House of Assembly outside of the legally recognized 10 members of the house.
Impersonation and especially impersonating Government officials is a criminal offense. The law must be vigilant and proactive as turning a blind eye to this brazen display of impunity will embolden these marauders.
We thank Edo people for their support and commitment to a better and brighter Edo.
To PDP and Governor Obaseki, all Edo lives matter!
