Invasion of Edo Assembly was an attempted coup, says Obaseki
- The Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, has shared how he feels about the recent invasion of the state House of Assembly
- Obaseki described the failed action as an attempted coup d’état, which according to him is as good as treason
- The number one citizen of Edo assured that his administration will take necessary steps to defend the rule of law
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Governor Godwin Obaseki has described the failed invasion of the Edo state House of Assembly Complex as an attempted coup d’état that is as good as treason and contrary to the Nigerian Constitution.
Obaseki who disclosed this in a statewide broadcast on Friday, August 7, said the event signals grave danger to the safety and security of the polity.
He assured the people that his administration will take all steps necessary to defend the rule of law and democratic ideals.
“These events portend grave danger to the safety and security of our polity. It had all the hallmarks of an attempted coup d’état. The people of Edo State rose as one to prevent the desecration of our democracy. These acts are tantamount to treason, contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution," he said.
Source: Twitter
The Edo state governor went on to note that anyone or group of people who try to test the will in line will meet with the full wrath of the law.
Obaseki traced the beginning of the crisis in the state House of Assembly back to June 2019, when some members-elect of the 7th Edo state House of Assembly upon his proclamation refused to present themselves for inauguration.
He noted that a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had ruled in favour, deciding that his proclamation was lawful.
The governor further disclosed that the 14 members-elect stayed away from the Assembly and refused to perform their roles and as a result, their seats were declared vacant for having failed to sit for over 180 sitting days.
They requested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conduct fresh elections to fill the vacancies. The members-elect are challenging the action which is still pending in court.
Obaseki noted that: “This unfortunate situation has festered because a former governor of the state is bent on throwing the state into crisis ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections.”
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Earlier, Legit.ng reported that police took over the Edo state House of Assembly complex. Dozens of the security officials stormed the complex in the early hours of Thursday, August 6, while patrol vehicles were stationed there.
The police were said to have taken the action following a reported threat of an attack on the facility. The police officers were led to the assembly by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Ayoola Ajala.
APC disqualifies Obaseki from Edo guber primaries | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
