BENIN CITY- The Coalition of Community Based Organisations (CBOs) has vowed to resist any attempt to forcibly take over the legislative business of the Edo State House of Assembly by persons suspected to be sponsored by the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, APC governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodima.
They again called on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Imo State Governor to immediately desist from what they described as “Uzodima’s middlesome incursions in the sovereign affairs of the Edo State Government.
The group which stated this during its press conference yesterday in Benin City said that the present alleged civil conspiracy between the duo of Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu and Uzodima constitutes threats to the rule of law, constitutionalism and democracy in Nigeria.
Reading the group statement that was endorsed by Comrade David Lawani, Barr. Bright Erhauyi and Alfred Ogbonwan, before Journalists, Barr Andrew Adaze Emwanta, said “just yesterday, scores of strange persons were seen within and around the Okoro-Otun G.R.A Benin residence of Adams Oshiomhole
“From intelligence report at our disposal, these strange individuals were political thugs imported from Imo State by Adams Oshiomhole, with the Sponsorship of his political ally, Hope Uzodima, the Supreme Court approved Governor of Imo State.
“This morning (yesterday), there was a failed attempt by the twelve (12) yet to be inaugurated members of the House, whose seats have been declared vacant to be clandestinely sworn into office by the impeached Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Yekini Idiaye”
Continuing, “This action is not only unlawful, but an act of treason, which is contrary to the provision of Section 1(2) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended and the treason clause of the Criminal Code Law of Edo State.
“It is worth emphasising that few days ago, the embattled candidate of the APC, Osagie Ize-Iyamu had in a political rally in Afemai land in Edo State, threatened that the 12 yet to be inaugurated members of the House, whose seats were declared vacant would be inaugurated before or after the September 19, governorship election in Edo State.
“Today’s affront on the sanctity of the hallowed chambers of the Edo State House of Assembly by thugs imported from Imo State, along with political thugs led by one Tony Adun (a.k.a Kabaka) is a tacit move to make good the threat of Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
“It is the light of the foregoing, that we humbly appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to immediately call Adams Oshiomhole and Osagie Ize-Iyamu to order, on account of their evil plans to make Edo State ungovernable.
“The President as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should also prevail on the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma to desist from his middlesome incursions in the sovereign affairs of the Edo State Government.
“The present civil conspiracy between the duo of Adams Oshiomhole and Osagie Ize-Iyamu on the one hand, and Hope Uzodinma on the hand, to forcefully take-over an arm of the Edo Government constitutes a threat to the rule of law, constitutionalism and democracy in Nigeria.
“Any attempt to subvert existing democratic institutions in Edo State will be resisted by all peace-loving people of Edo State”.
