The National Assembly has been told that it lack powers to give directives to Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent Edo State governor, over the continued chaos going on at the state’s legislative chamber.
The crisis bedeviling the state assembly is a tussle between the governor and Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state and the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), wherein the duo are contesting for the control of the assembly.
Those loyal to Mr Oshiomhole were said to have lost out during the inauguration of the 7th assembly which was allegedly done secretly.
Mr Obaseki who is alleging interference by the APC chieftain was recently ordered by the federal parliament, which is controlled by the ruling party, to make another proclamation for the fresh composition of Edo State House Assembly so as to bring to an end the crisis going on therein.
The National Assembly had threatened to take over the state assembly if the timeframe given to the governor elapses.
In reaction, the governor dared the federal parliament, boasting that such cannot happen while he is still in charge.
“As long as it (the court) is concerned, Edo State governor has power to make the proclamation. He has made the proclamation as empowered by the constitution,” Justice Kolawole Omotosho said in his ruling Wednesday.
“The governor is the chief executive of the state as enshrined in the constitution and cannot be mandated by the National Assembly.
“The proclamation remains valid, and the validity remains unchallenged. This court will not allow the proclamation to be tampered with by any National Assembly process. The order by the National Assembly is frowned upon and should not be encouraged,” Omotosho added.
The judge said it is only the court that has the prerogative power to issue such a directive and not the National Assembly.
