BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN—SPEAKER of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Uyi Igbe, yesterday, raised alarm that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the police had perfected plans to ensure that a state of emergency was declared in the state.

EDO ASSEMBLY CRISIS—Police at the Edo State House of Assembly as the crisis in the House continued. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike.

He warned that the people of the state would not be intimidated by the “the federal might as being boasted by the PDP godfathers and leaders in the state.”
He also called on the police to stop the blockade on the Benin city centre in the interest of the people of the state, saying that the situation had inflicted pains on road users and businesses in the state.

Igbe, who addressed newsmen yesterday, lamented that the suspended PDP lawmakers and the leadership of the party were using the police to “perpetrate illegalities in the state,” warning that the 15 All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers will continue to follow due process in the interest of the state.

According to him, “These same policemen actively disrupted the renovation work going on at the House of Assembly Complex and in the process sprayed tear-gas and/or other noxious chemicals on the Speaker and other members of the House. It is instructive that in their arrogance these renegade PDP legislators, actively supported by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, have been cheered on by the PDP leaders and godfathers who have openly boasted of their federal might and presidential connections.

“As legitimate representatives of the people of Edo State, as responsible lawmakers, and as peace loving citizens, we have no wish to see our state turned into a battle field where the PDP and their agents seek to gain by force, intimidation and threats, the political victory they couldn’t secure in open, free and fair electoral contests conducted in the past seven years across the state.

“We condemn the continuing display of naked aggression and show of power by those who believe that they control the organs of state power. We urge the Inspector General of Police to call his officers and men to order and ask all concerned to note that the only legitimate authority for the resolution of all disputes is the judiciary whose orders and directives must be scrupulously enforced by authorities in Nigeria.”