The Nigerian House of Representatives on Wednesday ordered the Inspector-general of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to oversee a shutdown of the Edo State House of Assembly, in a move against the political turmoil threatening the stability of the state's parliament.
The Green Chamber therefore mandated the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to within a one-week ultimatum, issue a fresh proclamation for the Edo State House of Assembly, so that the leadership of the house can be reconstituted.
The legislators made the determination while adopting the report of an ad-hoc committee mandated to investigate the crises in the state legislature.
The committee had reported that a “cold war” between Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state, had split the state lawmakers into two factions.
On June 17, nine pro-Obaseki lawmakers got inaugurated under controversial circumstances but the 15 lawmakers loyal to Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state and National Chairman of the governing APC party, kicked against it, calling for intervention.
The lower legislative chamber of the national assembly had mandated a 13-man panel headed by Abdulrazak Namdas to probe the crisis and make recommendations.
The panel reported back to the green chamber on Wednesday.
“All members of the Edo state house of assembly, both those who have been inaugurated and those who have not been inaugurated should dissolve their factions in the interest of peace and stability of the House with the view to moving the state forward,” part of the recommendation read.
“The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General (DG), Department of State Service should shut down the Edo State House of Assembly and provide adequate security to allay further fears of intimidation and threat as alleged by Members-elect.”
The panel also recommended that a fresh inauguration be conducted.
The house adopted the recommendations, saying if nothing positive comes out of it, the national assembly shall invoke section 11(4) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) to take over the state assembly pending the time the crisis is resolved.
Last week, Obaseki had dared those whom he referred to as “Abuja politicians” to take over the state if they could.
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