Ben Peters, Abuja
Few days to Governorship and houses of assembly Elections, former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives Dr Samson Osagie on Monday advocated a functional Legislature in Edo State.
He said what is currently in existence in Edo State is not democracy, adding that,” Section 91 of the Constitution is crying for compliance in Edo State. “
“With the greatest respect, Pursuant to Section 91 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended) Edo State does not have a Constitutionally valid Legislature from 2019 till date. And if that is so, I need not argue further on the implications of that on the actions taken so far by the aberrant arrangement called EDHA. I served there for 8 years.
“Secondly, one of the greatest improvements we have seen in our democratic journey and Electoral systems is an improved and active citizenship as shown in this last election. Edo People will express their choices of Legislators from among all the candidates in all the parties(not only LP & PDP) . No one can circumscribe their choices and let everyone know this.
On November 12, 2024 the tenure of the current administration will constitutionally terminate or will it not? But , I don’t think the Governor needs a Legacy of a decimated Legislature in his time.
Dr. Osagie who also an Abuja based lawyer Said Edo State needs a vibrant Legislature that will provide checks and balances in line with the mandate of the parliament under the Constitution.
Speaking on the rumoured impeachment plan by the APC should the party secure majority seats in the Edo State House of Assembly, the erudite Lawyer submits that it is doubtful if this imaginary agenda exist anywhere except in the minds of those propagating it.
One of the hallmark of governing a State is the ability to manage people and get them to support government vision and mission.
Since 1999 this is the first an elected governor and a coterie of his diaspora and local supporters will be afraid that the Governor will be impeached if there is a functional house of Assembly made up of elected representatives of Edo People. Just a 24 member Assembly ?
Let’s for once be serious. Why will that thought become a nightmare for the most powerful man in the state with the entire apparatuses of state.
Let’s have a functional Edo State House of Assembly not what we have seen in the last almost 4 years.
Our Presidential model of democracy is anchored on the principle of Separation of powers in which the functions of the Executive is separated from that of the Legislature and the Judiciary.
We cannot sacrifice accountable governance on the altar of the convenience of the Chief executive of the state.
We need checks and balances in the running of the affairs of Edo State, not a Sole Administratorship as we presently have.
Regardless of circumstances, the fact remains that this current Assembly falls short of the threshold of the required membership of a State Legislature under our Constitution.
“Going forward, it is disingenuous for us to promote a narrative similar to what led to the current political hiatus in the Edo Legislature with the propagation of the “impeachment theory”. Those who refuse to learn from history are bound to repeat the mistake of history. That is my submission on the need to tread cautiously on the impeachment narrative as we approach the March 18 Election.
Adult citizens of Edo, not kids, will be elected and they will have a duty to assist Edo people with an accountable governance.”,he said.
