Like a gentle flame, the crisis rocking the ruling- All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, started like the mustard seed which today has grown very big to the extent of threading the foundation of the mega party that came into being in 2014.
The APC since its inception about six years ago, has been waxing strong in lips and bounds in Edo state. The steady growth culminated in its winning the 24 available House of Assembly seats in the state during the 2019 House of assembly election.
The clean sweeping of the state assembly seats was the first of its kind for party since the inception of the present democratic process in the country over 20 years ago.
This achievement necessitated the leaders of the party, particularly the Wake and See Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to roll out the drums for a state-wide jubilation and celebration.
Unfortunately, the jubilation was unceremoniously cut short when the legislators elect without plausible but self-seeking reasons divided themselves into two factions with each faction pledging allegiance to the former governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki, respectively.
Then the issue of which of the two factions should produce the speaker of the house became a do or die affair. Both factions soon brought forward their choicest members for the position.
Whereas the Oshiomhole faction brought forward former speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, representing Esan Central constituency, the Obaseki group queued behind Hon. Frank Okiye, representing Esan North constituency 1.
Thus the battle line was drawn with several nocturnal meetings taking place in Benin City, Iyamho and Abuja. Both sides were bitterly engaged in horse trading and alleged financial inducement which swayed advantage to the Oshiomhole’s faction.
This situation created serious concerns for the governor and his followers. They were greatly worried. But rather than to despair, they went into their dark room to plan a devastating response to the Oshiomhole’s scare.
Firstly, Governor Obaseki refused to transmit a proclamation letter to the clerk of the Edo state House of Assembly. Without the proclamation letter, the state legislators elect cannot be inaugurated for the commencement of their legislative activities.
The refusal or failure of the governor to transmit the letter further heightened the political tension in the state. The political class was greatly worried. The people of the state were again more divided along factional lines. Then, the die was cast.
But on Monday, June 17, 2019, 19 out 24 legislators-elect in the afternoon stormed the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin City where they addressed members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm on their predicament and frustration.
The legislators-elect led by Hon. Washington Osifo from Uhunwode Constituency, bemoaned the refusal of Governor Obaseki to transmit the proclamation letter to state House of Assembly.
They threatened to do everything humanly and legally possible to force the governor to do the needful and urgently too. This action again created fears in the mind of the Obaseki’s followers. But there was a great silence at the seat of government located at the Osadebey Avenue, Benin City.
However, the Wake and See Governor rose to the challenge, summoned courage and did the unexpected when the state House of Assembly in a questionable manner or circumstance got the house inaugurated with nine members with Okiye and Idaiye elected as speaker and deputy speaker, respectively.
Whereas some people in the state, particularly the legislators elect loyal to the APC national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole are kicking that the House was inaugurated at about 9:30 in the night but Clerk of the state Assembly, Mr, Audu Yahaya Omogbai claimed that both the inauguration and swearing in ceremony of the speaker and his deputy were carried out at about 3:30pm.
A source close to Government House confided in The Reliance that “we were devastated with the activities of Oshiomhole’s boys, especially the press conference they did at the NUJ press centre.
“You can imagine that even before they were sworn- in, they have started to attack the governor out of their foolish desires to deal with him.
“So, our people meet and decided that we must act fast to stop them because they were aiming at the impeaching the governor, a situation that would have caused a serious political turmoil in the state.
“But whether you like it or not, Okiye is now the speaker of Edo State House of Assembly and there is nothing anybody can do about it. And the House has been legally constituted.
“Some people are very wicked. You can imagine, plotting to remove a performing governor? Indeed, we heard before in some quarters that the former governor was jealous of Governor Obaseki’s enviable achievement and wanted to do something to slow him down so that he couldn’t surpass his own (Oshiomhole’s) achievement.
“The situation was really worrisome. We taught that the former governor will be well pleased that the man who took over from him was doing very well. But surprisingly, instead of being proud of the Wake and See Governor, he became jealous of him.
“But we thank God that he and his people have failed and their evil plot revealed for all to see. That is why they are very angry against the governor because he outsmarted them” the source added.
Edo North Leaders Pledge Support For Obaseki, Okiye
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo North Senatorial District, have applauded the emergence of Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye as the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA).
The Edo North APC leaders led by Rev. Peter Obadan, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to Governor Godwin Obaseki at Government House in Benin City, the state capital.
Rev. Obadan commended Governor Obaseki for supporting the choice of the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, who hails from Edo North Senatorial District, adding, “Can one ask for too much a thing? We are not asking for what we have received, and the position of the Deputy Speaker zoned to Edo North is welcome.”
“We want to thank His Excellency for being so supportive on that account. We are here to say thank you, Mr Governor,” he added.
He expressed appreciation to the governor for ensuring a good working relationship with his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, who also hails from Edo North, noting that the APC leaders in the senatorial district are strongly behind the deputy governor.
He noted that the leaders are already working on the nomination list for appointment into various vacancies in the state’s boards.
In his response, Governor Obaseki said most decisions taken by his administration were with the knowledge of the leadership of Edo State APC, adding that the state government is working closely with the party to ensure that the APC’s ideals are entrenched in the state.
“We are doing so much and it will be sad if those of you who helped us get into power are not benefiting the way you should. There are lots of economic and agricultural programmes we have embarked on. We want party members to key into them.”
According to him, “We are in government to serve all Edo people and not only our members, but because you put us in position, you should have the privilege to know what we are doing and take better advantage.”
Obaseki urged the leaders of the APC in the state to kick-start monthly ward and unit meetings where they would discuss opportunities and work as a team.
REBELLIOUS EDO ASSEMBLY MEMBERS MAY LOSE THEIR SEATS – Dele Igbinedion
Despite the recent inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly, Benin City, several persons who were elected by various constituencies have defiantly refused to present themselves for swearing in as members of the House.
For starters, these persons, who have been referring to themselves as members elect, are not yet members of the House of Assembly. Poignantly, there is no provisionfor members electin the 1999 Constitution. A person is either a member or the House or not. There is no middle nomenclature called member elect.
So, until a person elected is sworn in, he remains just that “a person elected”. No more. It goes without saying that until he is sworn in, he has no right to refer to himself or be referred to as a member of the House of Assembly.
Now, before a person who is elected can become a member of the House, and speak as such, he has to have been sworn in by the Speaker of the House of the Assembly. This is the provisions of section 94 of the 1999 Constitution.
But the question is what happens if a person elected to the House of Assembly refuses to attend the Speaker’s call to subscribe to the oath of office and oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
This is certainly a situation not directly contemplated in the Constitution, for which drafter of the Constitution would have thought that people will be elected and then refuse to attend the House to be sworn in? One would have thought that elected members would be very eager to take their oaths and thereafter commence legislative business.
Yes, I know that some elected persons are kind of protesting that the House of Assembly was inaugurated at night time and they were denied the right to vote for the Speaker. But this is, with respect, an ignorant thinking, because the Constitution does NOT make it mandatory that an elected person must participate in the election of Speaker of the House. See section 94 which provides that “Every person elected….MAY, before taking the oaths, take part in the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly “. (capitalization mine). It is my submission that the use of the word MAY does not denote a compulsion.
Anyway, let us stay on the subject of what is the consequence of a person duly elected who fails to subscribe to the relevant oaths.
I submit that this situation is wisely addressed in the Constitution. Section 109 (1) (f) of the Constitution provides that:
“A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if-
(f) without just cause, he is absent from meetings of the House of Assembly for a period amounting in the aggregate, to more than one-third of the total number of days during which the House meets on any one year”.
What, then, is just cause which can insulate a member from loosing his seat? Again, the Constitution provides that:
“A member of the House shall be deemed to be absent without just cause from a meeting of the House of Assembly unless the person presiding certifies in writing that he is satisfied that the absence of the member from the meeting was for a just cause”.
Well, it is the Speaker of the House who will confirm in writing that the absence of the House member is justifiable. If the Speaker does not excuse the absence of the member, then such member is away without permission and the absence will be sanctionable.
I find something else that is interesting in the above cited provision of Section 109 (f). It seeks to punish absence from “meetings” of the House. Note, unlike section 95, this section 109 (f) it is not concerned with “sitting” of the House. Hence, the reference is to meetings of the House, not just sittings. In other words, any meetings of House members will be counted. This will include but not be limited to sittings of the House, committee meetings, meetings of members to deliberate on any issue, etc. Whatever meeting it is, members of the House are expected to be active participants, and unexcused absence is punishable.
Further, the House of Assembly is expected to sit for a period of not less than 180 days in a year. For this, see section 104 of the Constitution. By simple calculation, one third of 180 days is 60.
My humble submission is that any person elected as a member of the House of Assembly who, without just cause, absents himself from meetings of the House for more than 60 days will be liable to vacate his seat.
In the circumstances, the clock started ticking from the very day the Edo State House of Assembly was inaugurated. From that date or so soon thereafter every person elected as a member was constitutionally expected to resume their work. It is therefore inexcusable that some persons are absenting themselves from meetings of the House.
Note that if after 60 days from that inauguration, any person elected as a member of the House continues to absent himself from the House, then it behoves on Mr. Speaker to wield the big hammer on such a person, to effectuate the process of declaring such seat to be vacant. INEC will then conduct a bye election to fill the vacant seat.
I’m Not A Political Godfather – Oshiomhole
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole has denied installing himself as a godfather in Edo politics.
The former Edo State governor denied while responding to questions from journalists on Sunday. He led delegates to see President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Oshiomhole
While reacting to the crisis in Edo State APC, Oshiomhole dared them to present a proof that he was the new godfather, adding that he fought godfatherism in Edo politics, and enhanced one man one vote campaign to fight rigging.
He said, “What is the evidence? It’s all about the accusation. They have to give you the particulars of that godfatherism. What’s the evidence? I am a Democrat. That I accept the credit, not only that, I fought godfatherism.
“By the special grace of God under PDP with Anenih alive, and at his best, I won all the 18 local government areas and I won 95 percent of the total votes cast in my second term election.
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“So, Edo people know me and I know them. I don’t need short-cut to sustain my position in the system. But you know that there is nobody in Nigeria who is not open to accusations. The important thing is that he who accuses should give you proofs.“
Oshiomhole spoke on the crisis that recently and still rocking the Edo State House of Assembly. He expressed disgust over the few members who elected leadership of the house without the majority.
“You know that what happened in Edo was that they did not publicize a proclamation letter, the members were not informed, they did the inauguration at 9:30 pm in what in a Supreme Court judgement they call nocturnal hours. Business of parliament are done transparently; they are not secret cult. Now you have 24 member House, 19 members protested.
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“You have six and you carry people in their short knickers, even in the House they have rules, the dress code.
“So, it happened in Edo, it has happened in Bauchi. Like Edo, Bauchi used the minority of 10 to go and proclaim the House and lockout 20 APC members and got those 10 people to elect, exactly the way Edo did with 6 and then co opted other 3 people to become 9 and even at that, it is nonsense.
“For us these are completely illegal. And that is why we said so. If it is wrong, it is wrong whether it is done by APC or by PDP.
“I believe by the end of the day, the solution is to return to the rule of law. Let’s properly follow the law; let the parliament do what they have to do but people have the right to lobby for people they want and whom they prefer. This is also legitimate.”
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He added “We have an APC Senator, who in spite of all the efforts invested by all our leaders including Mr President, insisted that he will contest.
“The law allowed him so, we couldn’t stop him. The President could have said ok SSS please find excuse to invite him for questioning the day before; put him away until the elections are over. But we won’t do that.
“That is not the change we promised. The change we promised is to try to improve in the ways public institutions are managed and how rules are implemented. I believe that it will be resolved.”
EDHA: Obaseki Has Hidden Agenda – Okaeben
My attention has been drawn to a publication said to have emanated from Oredo Chapter of the APC directing that I, Hon Chris Okaeben should apologise to Governor Godwin Obaseki within 48hours or face a recall.
It is said in the publication that I disrespected His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki. Let me state clearly here that this is untrue as I have never in any way disrespected the governor or any of our party leaders. I have absolute respect for elders irrespective of status or position.
However, this doesn’t mean when my life is being threatened that i should remain calm. I had to speak out but even in speaking, I ensured to not use words that would amount to disrespect to the governor or elders.
It is quit unfortunate at this level of our democratic sojourn in the country that some leaders can not stand and speak for what is right. I had raised an alarm and brought to the notice of the party at local government level some weeks past that my life was under threat and none of these leaders could speak about or against it.
Though it is not surprising seeing that a former member of the House, who could not even, with the help of a sitting Governor win in the last election is in the fore-front of championing this course, I am however pained that the leaders of our dear party at Oredo level would allow themselves to be so used in this anti-Oredo and anti democratic action that is in direct variance with the wellbeing of Oredo people.
It is pertinent at this juncture to make it clear that the Legislative Arm of government is an independent and autonomous arm of government whose duties is to formulate laws and policies for the people. Our purpose is to ensure good governance through formulating of laws that are for the interest of the greater people of the state.
I, Hon Chris Okaeben, was duly elected by the people of Oredo West to represent their interest at the State House of Assembly and am committed to doing so and will not allow the executive arm to box me into a corner where it becomes difficult to perform such duties.
It is regrettable that the directive given by the Goodwill Alabi led Chapter of Oredo APC is in direct variance with the objective of the Legislature. For we to have a functional government that will work in the interest of the people of any society, the legislature must be free from the influence and control of the Executive and one way to ensure this freedom is to allow them the freedom to elect its house leadership.
The majority of the Legislature have spoken and the will of the masses cannot be suppressed. We expect that the house be given a free hand to operate if truly he means well for the people of Edo state and have a clean mind to deliver the good to the people of the state.
Trying to impose a candidate on the house speaks volume of a possible hidden agenda to manipulate the State House of Assembly to do the bidding of the governor, rather than that of the people that elected them and whose interest they represent at the Hallowed Chamber.
This is anti- people, it is anti-democracy, and it is anti-everything we stand for as Edo people and we must stand up and say No to such acts that could jeopardise our democracy and in the long run, destroy what we stands for as a people and impede development to the Edo people.
As a vibrant member of the 6th Assembly, I contributed my quota to legislative proceedings at the floor of the House and moved several bills for the betterment of Oredo West people and it is on the basis of this, that Oredo West people came out enmasse to re-elect me back to the House in the last elections and I owe them a duty to continue to represent their interests, without fear or favor.
The question begging for answers is why does the governor want a particular candidate to become the speaker when the vast majority of the Assembly members are against it? What does the governor stand to gain by a particular person becoming the Speaker irrespective of the will and decision of the members?
I therefore want to appeal to the leaders of our party to be on the good side of history and not allow themselves to be used by few persons in this evil plot that could undermine all that we represent as a true party committed to the development and upliftment of the people. We all must speak with one voice and reject dictatorship in all it’s ramifications. We must say no to muzzling of powers and allow each arm of government to do it’s duty as clearly spelt out in the constitution for only then, can we bring the desired development to the people of Edo State.
Oshiomhole Have Vested Interest In EDHA – Osagie
Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, has said that the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is showing bias with his view on Governor Godwin Obaseki’s alleged role in the emergence of the leadership of Edo State House of Assembly.
Osagie noted that Oshiomhole is showing bias and needs to hear from all parties in a matter before taking sides.
The governor’s aide said: “We read with utter astonishment a statement credited to the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, with respect to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s alleged role in the inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly.
“Apart from the fact that he based his conclusion on a totally false and baseless premise, we believe that he could have shown that he does not have a vested interest by simply inquiring from his friend, the governor directly, or any official of the State Working Committee of our party as to what actually transpired.”
Osagie explained that Oshiomhole’s “failure to satisfy the basic tenets of natural justice which makes fair hearing from all sides of a matter mandatory, has clearly exposed his bias in this issue.”
He added: “For the avoidance of doubt, all the decisions relating to the leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly recently elected by the House, were taken by the State Working Committee and leaders of the party from across the State.”
He emphasised that: “In deference to the rule of party supremacy, which the National chairman so eloquently professes, the governor and all party members are obliged to respect the party’s decision, as we expect the national chairman to also do.”
Recall that Oshiomhole had at a press conference on the political developments in Edo and Bauchi states’ houses of assembly, in Abuja on Friday, said: “unfortunately, the situation in Bauchi is also similar to the one that is happening in Edo State.
“I am ashamed to talk about it, but there is nothing to hide. We have a similar situation in Edo, where in our case we have 24/24, all of them APC but somebody wants a particular person as a speaker, 19 out of 24 are opposed to this person.”
Edo Central Leaders Hail Emergence Of Okiye
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo Central Senatorial District, have hailed the emergence of an Esan man as the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA).
The leaders made the submission during a courtesy call on Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at Government House, in Benin City, the state capital.
Leader of the delegation, Prince Mackor Shaka Momodu, said the visit is to show solidarity with the governor and to appreciate his non-interference in the emergence of an Esan man as Speaker of the EDHA.
Momodu said, “Esan people have been yearning to have a speaker who is the number three person in the state. We thank you for carrying the party along and for allowing the decision of the party to stand and not interfere in the election of the Speaker.”
He added, “Among the six elected members of the Assembly from Esanland, five are already working with the new Speaker. We will reach out to the sixth member to align with the Speaker so we can give full cooperation to your administration.”
Governor Obaseki, on his part, said the ideals of All Progressives Congress (APC) are built on inclusiveness, adding that with the governor from Edo South, his Deputy from Edo North, it was only natural and fair for the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to come from Edo Central, which was the party’s stance in the matter.
“Politics should be about inclusiveness and every part of the whole must have a sense of belonging. Otherwise, you cannot carry everybody along. We want to build an Edo where fairness, equity, justice and inclusiveness reign in our party and that is what the party tried to demonstrate in the last House of Assembly election,” he said.
The governor said he is ready to support the decision of the Esan Leaders on the choice of the speaker and anybody who is not satisfied with the decision should toe the line of peace or seek redress in the court of law.
He noted, “My view on the leadership of the EDHA is to have a tripod arrangement in Edo State where each senatorial district has a sense of representation.”
Obaseki stated that the party presented leadership of Edo Central Senatorial District with the offer to choose who the leader of the House should be and they made a decision to stick with Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye, which the party had to respect. He assured that the state executive will continue to maintain the cordial relationship it has built over the past few years with the legislative arm of government.
He called for participation of more women in the leadership structure of the APC in Edo Central to promote inclusiveness, noting, “APC is the ruling party in the state and we have to win more people to join our party. To achieve this, we must practice inclusiveness and bring more women into our politics. We will be shooting ourselves in the foot if we continue to relegate them. We should give them more chances at the table where decisions are being made in the party.”
Obaseki assured the leaders of more development in Esanland, noting that construction work is set to commence on the Ugboha-Ubiaja Road and that the vacancies that exist in all the boards in the state would be announced to allow party leaders from across the state choose right representatives.
Oshiomhole Is The Problem Of Edo APC – Charlie Tempo
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State and former Political Adviser to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Mr Charles Idahosa, aka Charlie Tempo, has called for the resignation of his former boss from the position of the National Chairman of APC.
Idahosa, who was Political Adviser to Oshiomhole while the latter served as Edo State governor, noted that Oshiomhole was desecrating the temple of democracy by sponsoring anti-democratic practices.
Speaking during a press conference in Benin City, the Edo State capital, he said, “We are all not very happy with what is happening in Edo State today, especially with the political division and the confusion. This is a situation in which we ought to be very happy; it is so strange. It is like a tragi-comedy with what is happening. We have a governor who was brought up by a political party and the people out there are very happy and commending this governor for working so hard. He is very popular and you will attest to that but the problem is with the leadership of the party.”
He continued, “While the voters are very excited, the people who brought him into power are not happy with him because, according to them, he is not carrying them along.”
On the crisis rocking the APC in Edo State, he said the governor has repeatedly told leaders of the party that he has no issue with the National Chairman, adding, “But the National Chairman, Oshiomhole has refused to say ‘I did not send anybody to form any group against the governor. I have no problem with the governor. Silence means consent. Why has he not said a word. It is a matter of simply saying, ‘I sent them or I did not send them.'”
He said the disagreement has snowballed into the House of Assembly imbroglio, stating, “I make bold to say that Adams Oshiomhole is responsible for the problem of the APC in Edo State today by his silence and people like us know that these boys on the streets are his boys. I am not his boy because we are contemporaries. Adams Oshiomhole’s refusal to speak means he is supporting them because I do not see anything wrong for him to come out and say he did or did not send them.”
According to the APC chieftain, Oshiomhole is to be blamed for all the crisis in the Edo State APC. He has created division in Edo APC.
He said that during Oshiomhole’s 8-year term, he was the leader of the party and we all deferred to him as our leader. How come he is finding it so difficult to allow Governor Godwin Obaseki to superintend over his space as our leader in Edo State?” He queried.
“In any superior democracy, any civilized society, you came in as a national chairman, you lost five states in your first outing. How can we lose Oyo State? The heart of old Western Region. We lost Rivers. The bucks stop on your table, you are the chairman. In a decent society, he should resign. He shouldn’t wait for anybody to tell him. You lost five states. Today we have no foothold in the South East.”
Idahosa decried the unilateral disposition of the national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in decision-taking process on strategic issues concerning the party.
He chronicled the antics of Oshiomhole since his appearance in the political landscape, pointing out that the former governor has always believed in suppressing the ideas of others.
He wondered why Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has refused to react to claims that there is a rift between him and Edo state governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki which the governor however denied, pointing out that silence is consent.
The APC leader explained that no past governor ever intruded in the activities of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and advised him to allow Governor Godwin Obaseki to continue in his desire to deliver the dividends of democracy to Edo people who voted for him.
While recalling with nostalgia uncomplimentary remarks by Oshiomhole on prominent sons of Bini extraction like the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, his son lucky Igbinedion who is former governor of the state, the late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia among others, Idahosa said it was high time the Binis worked together to avoid re-occurrence and put the Binis in the position that rightly fits them.
He stressed the need for the leaders of the All Progressives Congress to check what he called the unbecoming attitude of Comrade Adams Oshimhole in order to protect the party from disintegration.
He traced the loss of many states to the People’s Democratic Party to the leadership style of the national chairman of the APC, maintaining that if this is not urgently checked, it may infiltrate into Edo State.
Hon. Idahosa averred that Governor Godwin Obaseki has impacted positively on the socio-economic wellbeing of all Edo people and deserves another four years in office.
He urged the Binis as majority tribe to maintain leadership as governor of the state.
APC UHUNWODE LGA CHAPTER CONGRATULATES NEW EDHA SPEAKER, OKIYE.
The leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Uhunwode Local Government Area chapter, has congratulated the newly elected speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye and other principal officers of the State Assembly.In a press statement endorsed by one of the leaders of the party in Uhunwode local government area , Pa Osagie Ogieva, said the APC members in the locality were very happy over Rt. Hon. Okiye’s emergence as the henchman of the 7th Assembly of EDHA.
While assuring the speaker of the unalloyed support of the people of Uhunwode local government area, the statement called on the new leadership of the state House of Assembly to do everything possible to support and cooperate with the executive arm of government so as to sustain the ongoing developmental strides of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The Uhunwode chapter of the APC which also passed a vote of implicit confidence on the Governor Godwin Obaseki led government, noted that the people of the state are very happy with this present government.
“The Obaseki led government is doing very well. The government is touching and addressing all the areas of needs of the people and that the people are very happy because they have never had it so good”, the statement added.
The APC members in Uhunwode, further called on the state house of Assembly member-elect from Uhunwode constituency, Hon. Barr. Washington Osifo to thread softly and refrain from his unbridled attacks against the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
” Few days ago, he (Washington Osifo) led some other house of Assembly members-elect to address a press conference where they cast baseless aspersions against Governor Obaseki.
“We want all Nigerians, particularly the good people of Edo state to know that Barr. Osifo does not have the blessing of Uhunwode people in embarking on the self seeking political activities against the state government.
” We voted for Washington Osifo to go to the state house of Assembly to make laws for the good governance of the state but we are surprised that instead of attending the house of Assembly inauguration on Monday, he decided to engage himself in unprofitable ventures.
“We, hereby call on him to quickly retrace his unproductive steps or face the wrath of the people of Uhunwode who are unhappy with the way he is handling the mandate we freely gave to him,” the statement added.
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