A faction of the Edo State House of Assembly, yesterday, threatened to impeach Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent governor of the state.
The faction presumed to be loyalists of Adams Oshiomhole, the erstwhile national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is led by Victor Edoror. They made the threat after their sitting yesterday at an undisclosed location within the state capital.
The state legislative arm was recently factionalized with those led by Frank Okiye, supporting the governor who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after being disqualified by his former party, the APC.
Messrs Obaseki and Oshiomhole are political rivals who extended their battle to the lawmaking arm of government, fighting for an edge over each other. The latter, a former governor and predecessor of the incumbent governor is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure he fails in his re-election bid.
After its Wednesday sitting, the faction led by Edoror warned Obaseki from disrespecting their orders as there will surely be consequences for such action.
“If they refuse to carry out our instructions, it has huge constitutional implications. I don’t think they can afford to make that mistake,” the factional speaker told Punch Newspapers while referring to the executive arm of government led by Obaseki.
“We are not ready to impeach, unless they demand it by trying to flout provisions of the constitution. You cannot just impeach anybody unless he commits an offence
“We can’t impeach anyone who does not go against the law. Offences must have been committed, constitutional provisions must have been violated before talking about impeachment. For us, we don’t intend to impeach anyone.
“We are going to make sure that the people of Edo receive the dividends of democracy. We are not out to impeach anybody contrary to what is being peddled around. We are out to give legislation to the people and provide quality service. We have no ulterior motive,” Edoror assured and condemned the said renovation at the assembly complex which prevented his faction from using the premises.
In his reaction, Okiye said the group lacked the legal right to carry out any legislative action, adding that the lawmakers are joking.
“They have no power and nothing gives credence and authority to them. No one should listen to them. Whatever they are doing is merely a joke. I do not see how their resolutions will work and they must understand that section 99 has some criminal provisions so I still believe that they are just joking,” he said.
“But there is a point it will get to, we will invoke the relevant section of the law to deal with them. I still want to advise people not to bother themselves by what they are doing. Those nocturnal discussions cannot stand before the state.
“I have chronicled all that has been happening and I asked the public to disregard them and go about their normal duty. Their actions are merely comic scenes for a Nollywood movie,” he added.
