Edo: Senate resolution undermines’ states sovereignty- Oyegun

Ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun Sunday faulted Senate resolution directing Governor Godwin Obaseki to issue fresh proclamation for Edo House of Assembly or risk the assembly been taken over by the Federal legislators.

Oyegun said such directives to sitting governors “makes a mockery of State’s sovereignty as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution”. 

According to him, “the issue in contention is before a competent court of law. Thank God we have a constitution that binds everybody.  

I am shocked and amazed that the National Assembly or anybody would issue instructions to a sovereign Governor.

“I But I believe that in the coming weeks and months, the law will prevail,” he said. 

Oyegun, the first civilian governor of Edo State disclosed this during his pre-eightiet  interview with journalists in  Benin City.

The ex-party chair also kicked against attempts by vested interest to distabilize the State and urged that they should wait until the party primary.

According to him, “What is happening is a mystery to me and for funny reasons, we have been unable to get the story behind the story. 

“All I know is that we have a government and the voice of the people says Obaseki deserves all the support that he can get. If anyone wants to remove him (Obaseki) and destabilise the state, it’s wrong. The governor is delivering good governance to the people.”

Oyegun further maintained that as a National Chairman of APC, he never interfered in the affairs and running of Edo State, noting that “strangely same is not the case and it’s sad as people fail to realise we have two sovereignties.”

Edo State House of Assembly has been embroiled in crisis after nine out of the 24 members-elect were secretly inaugurated at about 10pm on June 21.

The nine members who are believed to be loyal to governor Godwin Obaseki elected Frank Oyike as speaker of the State Assembly.  14 other members who were not inaugurated are believed to be loyalists of Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the APC.

The aggrieved 14 members had petitioned the National Assembly and urged the Federal lawmakers to intervene. Besides, they (lawmakers-elect) have continued to stay away from Assembly sittings) over alleged insecurity.

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