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More trouble in Edo APC as Obaseki, lawmakers-elect lock horns over Assembly leadership

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POWER FAILURE: Gov Obaseki sends BEDC boss out of his office

There is no doubt that things are not getting better in the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as more troubles emerge on daily basis within the party.

In what is calculated to be fresh problem in the party, the lawmakers-elect in the state have been at logger heads with Governor Godwin Obaseki over the leadership of the state house.

The lawmakers alleged that the governor is making efforts to impose candidates on them by picking Assembly leaders of his choice.

Recall the party’s leadership last weekend zoned the Assembly positions to different senatorial districts, but the actions did not go down well with the 19 lawmakers.

The lawmakers, while addressing a news conference on Monday, accused Obaseki of attempting to truncate democracy by refusing to send a proclamation letter.

One of the lawmakers elect, Washinton Osifo expressed concerns over the manner in which the governor has overtaken the powers of the legislature by refusing to allow the Assembly function.

He posited that the governor, no matter how powerful, could not impose a Speaker or Deputy Speaker on the legislature.

Meanwhile, It was learnt that the lawmakers-elect have made some fresh demands on Obaseki before they will adhere to the party’s zoning arrangement.

The demands, according to sources, is for the governor to give them the yearly N36 million for constituency projects instead of executing the projects on their behalf; payment of all allowances owed old members, restoration of travelling allowances and other payments stopped by the governor.

Read also: KATSINA: PDP set to drag Gov Masari to court over school certificates

He said: “We urge all well-meaning individuals, including Oba Ewuare II and President Muhammadu Buhari, to prevail on Governor Obaseki to issue the letter of proclamation to enable the Edo State House of Assembly function.

“We are ready to defend our democracy and the sanctity of the legislature.”
But Obaseki, who spoke through his Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, assured the lawmakers that the proclamation letter would soon be sent.

He said the party’s intervention in the assembly leadership was to prevent the rancour that characterised the sixth Assembly.
He said: “They are products of the party and the party is interested in what they do. The party only helped them do what is needful.

“The governor invited them and told them the intervention is for legislative harmony. Nobody wants to impose leadership on them. The delay is not a threat to democracy.”

However, state chairman Anselm Ojezua while speaking to newsmen on Monday said there would be repercussions if the lawmakers-elect do not comply with the party’s decision.

According to him, the lawmakers have accepted the party’s zoning arrangement, and it was only left for zonal leaders to consult and come up with recommendations to the party.

He said: “There are legitimate claims. The party has nothing against them making those claims if they are legitimate. I think the governor is open to discussions as long as there is dialogue. They are not threatening anybody; they are just asking for what they believe will enhance service delivery to their constituencies.

“There is a way we can go about it. If there are projects they are interested in, they can make input into the budget and the state will implement. There is nothing wrong if a lawmaker ensures a project goes to his constituency so that he can have something to show.

“The party is keeping to its own obligations, and we have taken needed steps. The governor has prerogative to write the proclamation letter. We don’t need to put him under pressure. He knows the importance of the parliament in a democratic system. He will do what is needful.

“There is nothing like any lawmaker being an Oshiomhole’s or Obaseki’s boy. Obaseki is Oshiomhole’s boy; there can be no other Oshiomhole’s or Obaseki’s boys. If people should give themselves name, it does not make sense to me because all of us are Oshiomhole’s product.”

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