Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo,
has described the recent events at the state house of assembly as a failed
coup.
The governor accused Adams
Oshiomhole, his predecessor, of being “bent on throwing the state into crisis”
ahead of the September 19 governorship election.
The assembly complex has been
under police siege as the rancour between lawmakers loyal to the governor and
those with the backing of Oshiomhole worsens.
On Thursday, some pro-Oshiomhole lawmakers whose seats had been declared vacant, were sworn in at an undisclosed location after which they elected a new speaker.
In a state broadcast on Friday,
Obaseki said the attempt to invade the assembly complex “had all the hallmarks
of an attempted coup d’état,” adding that his administration will do whatever
it takes to defend the rule of law.
He added that the purported inauguration
of the lawmakers was an “illegal assault on our democracy”.
“Any person or group of persons
who set out to test our will in this regard will meet with the full wrath of
the law,” the governor said.
“The people of Edo State rose as
one to prevent the desecration of our democracy. It is however worrisome that
certain persons are willing to plunge the society into avoidable anarchy and
conflict just to satisfy their illegitimate objectives.
“This unfortunate situation has
festered because a former governor of the state is bent on throwing the state
into crisis ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections.”
Obaseki said the action of the
lawmakers on Thursday is “tantamount to treason,” adding: “This government will
take all steps necessary to defend the rule of law and democratic ideals”.
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