By David Lawani, Abuja
The former Minority Whip House of Representatives, Dr Samson Osagie has condemned the shameful manner the Edo State House of Assembly members have been prevented from sitting in the house by the Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki.
Osagie in a statement addressed to journalists in Abuja stressed that it is unheard of anywhere that an arm of a Government, the Legislature which is key to the functionality of any administration will be reduced to a kindergarten level.
He said it is sad that President Muhammadu Buhari, National Assembly and Judiciary have allowed this illegal act to fester for no reason.
“The situation in Edo State is a pitiable one. It is the only state in Nigeria without a complete Government as the State Legislature has been decimated and Legally non-existent.
“While the Constitution requires that no House of Assembly shall have less than 24 elected members and not more than 40 members( See Section 91 of the 1999 Constitution(as amended). In Edo State we have 10 members pretending to be the House of Assembly members. Is Edo State a Local Government Area Council now with 10 Councillors?
“I do not know why the President, APC, National Assembly and Judiciary are allowing this gross violation of the Constitution to continue to fester”, he said.
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The legal practitioner said constituents have been denied of opportunity of representation and this is affecting the spirit of democratic tenets which stipulates constituency voices must be heard on issues affecting them.
“Those elected by their constituencies to represent them in the house have been deprived the opportunity of representing their people by undemocratic elements masquerading as Leaders of Edo Government.
“What a shame? This is a dangerous precedent that must be condemned by all democratic forces and rejected in its entirety.
It is a recipe for anarchy and a threat to democracy.
“How long shall we remain complacent in the face of blatant abuse of the Constitution and expect governance to be run on the basis of the rule of law and separation of powers? It is impossible!”, he noted.
