Oshiomhole, Obaseki Duel Stirs Forgery Allegation Among Edo Fed Lawmakers

The crisis in the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC took a twist in Abuja on Thursday after allegations of forgery shrouded a petition raised by some elements in the National Assembly caucus from the state against Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The resolution raised in the name of the caucus which took position with the national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole against Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The resolution of the caucus among others chided the governor for disloyalty and hinderance to the state legislature and charged him to immediately issue a fresh proclamation for the state House of Assembly.

However, the assertions were immediately denied by state government officials who alleged that a good proportion of those who were purported to have signed the resolution claimed ignorance of it.

Briefing members of the House of Representatives in the National Assembly on Thursday, Deputy Leader of the House, Rep. Peter Akpatason said the caucus following its study of the issues had resolved to back Oshiomhole against the governor.

While observing what he claimed as the caucus disavowal of the actions of the governor, he said:

“This new culture of terrorism and political gangsterism was designed to intimidate party members and offficials and the general public, believing that the governor’s quest for a second term could be obtained by hook or crook, intimidation, and violence.

“When the majority of the executive came together and suspended the APC State Chairman for anti-party activities, poor judgement and gross dereliction of duties, the Governor organized a kangaroo meeting to suspend not just those members from the party, but also the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

“It was at this point that we decided, as responsible parliamentarians, duly elected by our constituents, to speak out and restate the following:

“That we, the APC Caucus in the National Assembly, hereby without hesitation, express our undiluted and absolute confidence in the Sterling and patriotic leadership of the National Chairman of the APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who has been doing excellently well and just won two tough elections with landslide.”

“We advice Governor Obaseki and his management to appreciate the damage they are doing to the State and party with their undemocratic and unorthodox political actions and to retrace their steps.

“The Governor should issue another proclamation as stipulated in the Constitution and have all the 24 elected members properly inaugurated so they can duly represent their contributions to the growth and development of the State, to stop forthwith all forms of intimidation and harrassment of elected officials, appointees and perceived enemies, allow peace to reign in Edo State and work to enhance Democratic practices by opening up political spaces.”

Among those he claimed to have signed the resolution were Senator Francis Alimekhena, Reps Patrick Aisowieren, Johnson Oghuma, Julius Ihonvbere and Dennis Idahosa.

The communique was not too long after poohpoohed by the state government which described the assertions as not only unfounded but based on deceit.

The government alleged that at least three of the persons alleged to have backed the resolution were ignorant of it.

A statement issued by the special adviser to the governor on media, Crusoe Osagie read:

“To the best of our knowledge, there was no such meeting and the details of the said statement should at best be treated as falsehood.

“We have reached some members of the Edo State caucus at the National Assembly, whose names were listed in the said statement and they denounced the statement and denied knowledge of such a meeting.

“Those reached include:

 – Senator Francis Alimikhena, representing Edo North Senatorial District

 –  Hon. Dennis Idahosa, representing Ovia Federal Constituency

 –  Hon. Patrick Aisowerien, representing Orhionmwon Federal Constituency

 “We believe the said statement is a product from the stables of the media aides of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who are hellbent on spewing falsehoods and propagating alternative facts to hoodwink the public. The statement should, therefore, be disregarded in its entirety.

 “As regards the issuance of a fresh proclamation, we want to draw the attention of all Nigerians to the judgement by the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on the case with Suit Number FHC/PH/CS/159/2019, filed by the Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Yekini Idiaye and member representing Ikpoba-Okha Constituency, Hon. Henry Okuarobo, on the issue of the issuance of a fresh proclamation for the inauguration of the 7th Edo State House of Assembly.

 “The court had ruled that: “The Plaintiffs/Applicants are granted an order of interim injunction restraining the 6th Defendant/Respondent (the Governor of Edo State) from issuing any fresh proclamation for the holding of another first session for the Edo State House of Assembly pending the hearing and the determination of the substantive suit”.

 “With the judgement, the issue of issuance of a fresh proclamation was laid to rest, giving impetus for the genuinely inaugurated 7th Assembly in Edo State to continue proceedings as a legally-constituted legislative arm of government in Edo State.

 “Requests for the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to issue a fresh proclamation letter is tantamount to asking the governor to disobey the court order.”

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