By Patrick Ahanor
Worried by the legislative logjam at the Edo state House of Assembly, a group of patriots and intellectuals, under the aegis of Edo Unity League (EUL), has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubarkar, to restore law and order in the complex.
Legislative activities at the complex had been grounded since June 9, following the suspension of four lawmakers by the leadership of the assembly and the counter resistance of the suspension by a faction of the legislators.
Addressing journalists in Benin City at the weekend, the vice- chairman of the group, Arc Momodu Obadan, said the ultimatum became necessary because it was deeply concerned about “the socio-economic and political well-being of our people.”
Obadan explained that the ultimatum was aimed at bringing to the fore how four suspended lawmakers were holding the assembly hostage despite a subsisting legislative and judicial order restraining them.
He noted that the group was convinced that “the seeming lackadaisical attitude of the IGP to act in line with the nation’s legal system was a grave design to undermine the peace and hospitality of Edo people, and we call on the CJN and President of the Senate to compel the dramatis personae to abide by the court order.”
He said: “We are ready to mobilise en masse to Abuja after the expiration of the ultimatum to prevail on the IGP to bring his responsibility and constitutional powers to bear because the temple of justice is being desecrated.”
Obadan, therefore, warned against plan to foist a state of emergency on Edo, adding that “we shall resist such plan in all fronts; even with the last drop of our blood.”
