APC decries assault on Edo Assembly

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has decried the alleged interference by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in the affairs of the Edo State House of Assembly.

APC in a statement by its Deputy National Publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena, stressed that the independence of the legislature must be guaranteed and protected without interference from the executive arm and other non-state actors.

The party described the alleged activities of the Edo State government on the State House of Assembly as a brazen assault on our constitution and the rule of law.

It noted: “Amid the leadership crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly, the sudden renovation of the state’s legislative complex purportedly by the state government takes us back to the backward days of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administrations which normalised the desecration of other arms of government to achieve political ends.

“Nigerians will also recall how the PDP introduced the repugnant “16 is greater than 19” political formula. By all standards, it is illegal to deny duly elected legislators their constitutional rights to represent their constituencies in government. For the 24-member Edo State House of Assembly, seven cannot be greater than 17. Those days are gone.

“The governorship election in Edo State is forthcoming. The electorate must be allowed to cast their votes peacefully and not under threats of violence by the PDP and the state government.” The party urged security agencies to remain vigilant and be guided by the law in its efforts to prevent a breakdown of law and order.