The Senate has called for calm from all warring parties in the crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly.
Chairman of the Adhoc Committee investigating the crisis and Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, cautioned that if the crisis is not properly managed it may consume the nation.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at a meeting with 12 members-elect loyal to APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, he said the priority of the Ninth Senate is to find a lasting solution to the crisis rocking the state assembly.
It would be recalled that on June 17, 2019, nine out of the 24-member Assembly were inaugurated under controversial circumstances.
The inaugurated lawmakers are said to be loyal to the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, while 12 other lawmakers-elect enjoy the backing of the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
Addressing journalists after its closed door meeting with the aggrieved members-elect, Abdullahi Sabi said the search for peace is a common goal among all parties in the crisis and urged the members-elect to be restrained in their narration of what transpired at the meeting with any third party or friends.
“I want to plead that those who will go and twist events should please remember that all of us have a duty to be responsible. It maybe fun to you. It maybe profitable to you, but know that some people are crying.
“Lessons of history has taught that little crisis that start somewhere, if not properly handles can consume this nation. God forbid,” he stated.
The lawmaker assured that the Senate will resolve the matter in the best interest of democracy and good governance for the people of Edo State.
This, he said, informed the determination of the committee listen to all sides of the parties in the crisis to reach an amicable resolution.
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved members-elect at the meeting before the committee went into closed session, Washington Osifo, member-elect representing Uhunwonde State Constituency, said they never received any communication from the Clerk about the inauguration.
While accusing the state governor of unleashing terror on them using state apparatus, he disclosed that one of the lawmakers-elect has been kidnapped.
According to Osifo, they have been residing in Abuja for the last one month even as he called on the Senate to intervene on the matter.
Among the members-elect at the meeting is Seidu Oshiomhole, younger brother to the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the leadership of House of Representatives to desist from actions that violate the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and could trigger a constitutional crisis in Edo state and the nation at large.
The party was reacting to the order by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, asking the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to shut down the Edo State House of Assembly.
A statement on Thursday by Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP National Publicity Secretary, described the order as unconstitutional and provocative.
The statement reads: “The PDP states that no section of the 1999 Constitution confers the House of Representatives with the powers to issue orders to a state governor or direct the shut down of a sitting State House of Assembly. Whether in language or action, such is only obtainable in a military system.
“The PDP hereby invites Nigerians to note that section 11 of the 1999 Constitution, upon which the House of Representatives anchored its decision, does not in any way empower the House of Representatives to shut down a functioning state legislature
“Our party cautions the federal legislature to note that such imperial stance against a legislative house; a symbol of the sovereignty of the people, is self-destruct and opens the fundamentals of our nation’s democracy to unwarranted attacks.
“The PDP therefore counsels against any arm of government overreaching itself to take actions that undermine our constitution and encourage dictatorial tendencies against our institutions of democracy and the essentials of personal freedom and rights of citizens in our nation.
“Nevertheless, the PDP berates the APC leadership for its inability to manage its avarice and internal strife, which are playing out in Edo state to the extent that it is now dragging our nation into a constitutional crisis.”
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
