Embattled governor of Edo State, Mr. Goodwin Obaseki, Monday vowed that he won’t issue fresh proclamation for re-inauguration of the State Assembly.
Obaseki said, “the Nigerian Constitution 1999 as amended, mandates state governors to issue proclamation only once for the inauguration of their Houses of Assembly.
“And I have dutifully performed this function,” he said.
The governor also described as false, a story titled: “Edo Assembly crisis: Buhari directs Obaseki to issue fresh proclamation.”
According to Obaseki in a statement endorsed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, “we wish to state categorically that the story is false as there is no Presidential directive to the Edo State Governor, to issue a fresh proclamation.
“The President Muhammadu Buhari that we know is a law-abiding leader who will not issue directives that contradict the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
“The publication is one of the many efforts by agents and hirelings sponsored by entrenched interests in the state whose stranglehold on the state’s resources has been displaced by the people-centric governance model of the Obaseki-led administration.”
The assembly has been embroiled in crisis after the midnight inauguration of nine out of 24 members-elect on June 21.
The nine members are believed to be loyalists of governor Obaseki and have emerged principal officers of the House.
14 other members-elect who are believed to be loyal to ex-governor of the State, Adams Oshiomhole thereafter petitioned the National Assembly.
The 14 have continued to stay away from the Assembly proceedings over alleged insecurity.
