There is currently heavy security presence at the Edo State House of Assembly with rumoured forceful take over by the 17 lawmakers loyal to the APC Governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Igbere TV reliably gathered that the security officials – comprising of the Department of State Security (DSS), Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) – were drafted from Abuja.
The development comes a day after the deputy speaker, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, was impeached by 7 lawmakers loyal to Governor of the State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for pledging loyalty to the APC and Ize-Iyamu.
A member of the Edo APC executive, who pleaded anonymity, said the security measures were to allow the fresh inauguration of the 17 lawmakers loyal to the Party.
Igbere TV had reported how a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered both the Senate and the House of Representatives to halt their plan to take over the Edo State House of Assembly.
The case was instituted by the now-impeached deputy speaker to challenge the directive by the National Assembly to Governor Obaseki, to issue a fresh proclamation of the state’s House of Assembly.
The federal lawmakers had threatened to take over the legislative duties and powers of the Edo State House of Assembly should the governor fail to make the fresh proclamation within three weeks.
But, Justice Taiwo ordered the parties in the case to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the case.
Igbere TV had reported how a Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court restrained Obaseki from issuing a fresh proclamation to the Edo State House of Assembly.
The court order countered the Nigerian Senate’s resolution which directed Obaseki to issue a fresh proclamation to the state assembly in order to bring to an end the political crisis.
Following the pledging of loyalty to Ize-Iyamu and the APC by Idiaye, before his impeachment as deputy speaker, Igbere TV gathered that the lawmaker had secretly withdrawn the case from court.
Besides, a Constitutional lawyer in the State, who craved anonymity, said with the impeachment of the deputy speaker, he lacks the locus standi to pursue the case – assuming not already withdrawn.
The crisis in the Edo Assembly began when the Assembly was inaugurated under controversial circumstances at night with only nine, out of 24 lawmakers-elect, on June 17.
The 24 lawmakers are members of the APC.
Other lawmakers-elect were excluded from the inauguration to prevent the then National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole’s loyalists from taking control of the legislature, Igbere TV gathered.
As at 9:15 am Thursday morning, our correspondent observed police, NSCDC and DSS officials around the complex with arms, blocking access to the House of Assembly.
When contacted for comments, Speaker Frank Okiye said he was not aware of the security presence. But a government official fingered Oshiomhole in the planned forceful takeover.
There are rumours that Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu may be impeached if the plans scale through. Already, a mace and Clerk of the House are on standby for the planned inauguration.
Igbere TV had reported that the pro-Obaseki lawmakers had been sitting inside Government House for over a month, claiming the Assembly Complex at Ring Road, Benin was being fumigated over COVID-19 scare.
The relocation to the Government House, it was learnt, was to monitor the pro-Obaseki lawmakers and ensure they remain true to the Governor’s causes.
