Edo Assembly crisis: I do not have the power to recall 14 lawmakers – Gov. Obaseki.

– Steve Ovirih.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Noseghase Obaseki has visited the National leadership of his party, Peoples Democratic party, PDP.

The Governor who was accompanied by his Deputy, Philip Shuaibu and other Edo State PDP stakeholders visited the Uche Secondus led PDP leadership on a thank you – courtesy call , having won the Edo Guber poll with a land slide margin in September.

Governor Obaseki said he will continue to govern the good people of Edo State with the fear of God and genuine intention to serve and improve the welfare of Edolites.

Chief Uche Secondus advised him to run an inclusive government and ensure the return of the 14 APC lawmakers who had had a running battle with him since the inauguration of the Assembly over a year ago.

In his response, the Edo State Governor said in as much as their decision to boycott the proclamation of the Assembly was their own doing and in as much as he sympathised with them, he doesn’t have the prerogative to ensure their return to the Edo State House of Assembly, adding that they have missed the golden opportunity to be described as Honorable members of the House as their seats have been declared vacant after they have willingly boycotted the sitting of the House beyond the stipulated time according to the Constitution. He said he will be acting beyond his powers as the state Governor and circumvent the Constitution if on his own, he orders their return to the House.
Obaseki said they relied on the powers of their Godfather and since the Constitution which recognised their membership of the House doesn’t allow for their reliance on any dictatorial tendencies , they cannot be accorded the luxury of flagrant disobedience to the stipulated spirit and letters of the Constitution as regards how they conduct themselves.

He said the case is already in court and regardless of that, their seats are deemed vacant.