Despite the running legal battle between 14 elected All Progressive Congress (APC) members of the Edo State House of Assembly and the PDP – led state government over their exclusion from parliamentary inauguration, the affected lawmakers have taken their cry to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Iyiorchia Ayu, for political solution.
They petitioned Ayu to use his office to prevail on Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy Philip Shaibu who are members of his party to allow a political solution to the debacle in Edo State House of Assembly.
In a petition titled “Re unlawful exclusion of 14 elected APC members of Edo State House of Assembly from parliamentary duty” dated 4th of February, 2022 and signed by Rt. Hon. Victor Sabor Edoror, the 14 APC members asked Ayu to advise Obaseki, Shaibu and their agents to immediately cause the integration of all members of the Edo State House of Assembly to protect the Nigerian democracy which they believe PDP also stands for.
“Chairman sir, it will be our honour to meet with you. If you so desire, to explain our plight in better detail. While looking forward to hearing from Your Excellency, kindly accept assurances of our highest consideration.
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” Representations were severally also made to the National Assembly, members recommended that a proper inauguration be done, but were ignored by the Governor Obaseki.
” Our resort to Legal redress has also not yielded fruit, as Edo State High Court failed to hear the case till date for the third year running due to the influence of the government of Governor Godwin Obasek and Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu through the then Solicitor General now Attorney General, Mr. Wole lyamu Infact, the eighth judge is presently handling the matter without hearing yet.
“The Attorney General of the Federation and minister of justice was invited to use a legal opinion on the matter after which he wrote to the Inspector General of Police and relevant authority of the state, interpreting provisions of the Constitution and recommending that the inauguration of elected members of the house be conducted.
“The Edo Governor and his Deputy similarly did not comply with this advisory of the highest national legal authority, to integrate Edo House of Assembly members, as the law requires.”
