The factional Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr Frank Okiye, has written to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, asking him not to allow the police to be used to achieve undemocratic objectives in the state.
Okiye, in an another letter dated August 6, 2020, written to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, advised the AGF not to allow his office to be used to turn the state into a theatre of war.
The state House of Assembly was factionalised on Thursday when 17 members impeached Okiye and elected Victor Edoror to replace him.
The 17 lawmakers consist of three lawmakers supporting the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and 14 members-elect, who were sworn in on Thursday, more than a year after the inauguration of the House.
Before the House became factionalised, policemen had, as early as 7am, arrived at the Assembly.
The state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, later came to the Assembly to address his supporters.
After Obaseki’s departure, youths believed to be his supporters removed the roofs of the Assembly and used granites to block its gates.
Recall that the crisis in the state started last year when the APC was divided into two factions, with one group loyal to the governor, while the other had the backing of the immediate past National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole.
Okiye’s lawyers, Ken E Mozia and Co, in a letter dated August 9, 2020 written to the IG, said the police boss should not allow political actors to misuse the police.
The letter was titled, “Re-Letter titled, ‘Urgent and nationalistic appeal to intervene in the restoration of constitutional democracy in Edo State of Nigeria”
Okiye alleges plan to impeach Obaseki, deputy
The lawyers alleged that there were plans to impeach the governor and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu.
Don’t let police be misused, factional speaker tells IG
They said, “The police should not be associated with such undemocratic and patently undemocratic acts.
“The governorship election is just six weeks away. Political actors should be encouraged to await the outcome of the scheduled election rather than seek to misuse the police authorities in an attempt to achieve clearly undemocratic and unlawful objectives.”
A copy of the letter written by the lawyers was sent to the AGF. In the letter, the lawyers stated, “We are still in shock that you (the AGF) issued the directive contained in your letter of 5th August 2020 to the Inspector General of Police without any attempt to hear from our clients and without any contact with His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State.”
