The leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly yesterday urged the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Muhammed Abubakar, to call his officers and men to order and stop backing illegality. The assembly said there was no factional speaker in the state assembly. According to them, the former deputy speaker, Festus Ebea, who was suspended and later impeached and now claiming to be the speaker of the assembly was not known by law, This Day reports. Briefing journalists on the situation in the state assembly yesterday, the Speaker of the assembly, Uyi Igbe, flanked by the other 14 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the police had perfected plans to ensure that a state of emergency is declared in Edo State. He noted however, that the people of the state would not be intimidated by the federal might as being boasted by the PDP leaders. Igbe, who regretted that the police blockade of major roads had caused the people untold hardship, said: “Despite the flagrant disobedience to court process and orders by the PDP lawmakers, supported by the police” the 15 APC lawmakers will continue to obey the rule of law in the interest of the state.” Giving insight into the genesis of the crisis, he said three of the suspended lawmakers shortly after defecting to the PDP, approached the Federal High Court urging to stop the assembly from declaring their seats vacant and suspending them. He said the court granted them relief on the first injunction of not declaring their seats vacant, but refused the second injunction as it ruled “that the disciplinary power of the house is not subject to the judicial review of the court.” He said while the assembly complied with the ruling delivered by Justice A. M. Liman by not declaring their seats vacant, it suspended the four members namely, Festus Ebea, Patrick Osayimen, Jude Ise-Idehen and Friday Ogierakhi “for an indefinite period for misconduct as provided for under Order 38 of the Rules of Procedure of the House of Assembly,” the four suspended members in turn refused to comply with the suspension order which led to the assembly approaching the court in suit number. B/70/OS/2014 and got an order restraining the four suspended lawmakers and the police from forcibly gaining entrance into the assembly complex and the legislative quarters. “However, policemen actively disrupted the renovation work currently going on at the House of Assembly complex and in the process sprayed tear-gas and/or other noxious chemicals on the speaker and other members of the assembly. It is instructive that in their arrogance and boastful manner these renegade PDP legislators, actively supported (rather unfortunately) by officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force have been cheered on by the PDP leaders and godfathers who have openly boasted of their federal might and presidential connections. “We wholeheartedly condemn the continuing display of naked aggression and power show by those who believe that they control the organs of state power. We urge the IG to call his officers and men to order and ask all concerned to note that the only legitimate authority for the resolution of all disputes is the judiciary whose orders and directives must be scrupulously enforced by all persons and authorities in Nigeria,” Igbe stated -[TODAY]
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 08:31:47 +0000
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