Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State Wednesday said he was saddened with the crisis arising from the inauguration of the State’s seventh Assembly.
He said his administration in the last two and half years has continued to pursue peace and order in the state without any political crisis.
14 out of the 24 members elect had petitioned the National Assembly after nine of them were reportedly inaugurated at midnight on June 17.
The 14 members-elect are believed to be loyal to a former governor of the State, Adams Oshiomhole whose relationship with his successor (Obaseki) has broken down.
The House of representatives on Wednesday handed out a seven-day ultimatum to the governor to issue a fresh proclamation letter for re-inaguration of the Assembly.
However, Obaseki who addressed a Senate hadhoc committee on the crisis in Benin City said the constitution was clear on issues at the Assembly, adding that he had issued a proclamation letter.
Obaseki stated that he knew pressure was being mounted on some individuals on the matter
According to him: “I have fulfilled my constitutional responsibility, I believe in the separation of powers.
”There were issues and we expected that those in higher authority should have stepped in to ensure it is resolved but now the matter is in court. I am sure the 109 members will look at the facts dispassionately because I know you are men of integrity.”
Obaseki said he knew pressure was being mounted on some individuals on the matter but expressed confidence in the capacity of the Senate committee to do justice to the matter for the interest of the state, country and democracy.
Meanwhile, the Edo State House of Assembly has rejected the resolution of the House of Representatives which amongst others recommended that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Department of State Services (DSS) should seal up the Assembly if crisis persist.
The Assembly said: ”considering what we came to know in the course of this process, the recommendation of the Ad-Hoc committee does not come to us as a surprise.
”For example, the chattered plane marked 5N FCT, which brought the committee members to Benin City, was paid for by the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who is a major party in the disagreement.
”Also, the younger brother to the National Chairman, Seid Oshiomhole, in a recent leaked audio conversation, revealed the underhand dealings in Abuja regarding the matter.
He stated that Oshiomhole and his proxies have been having meetings with the committee members and other actors in the issue in Abuja and dolling out money to ensure the issue goes in their favour.
”With all these, it was clear that the ad-hoc committee was up to no good. Their report was always going to be biased.
”Moreover, we want to draw the attention of the general public and the Police to a subsisting court order restraining the Police, headed by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; the National Working Committee of the APC; the DSS from interfering in the affairs of the Assembly,” he said.
