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Category: Politics

Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu Pay Glowing Tributes to APC Chieftain, Lanre Razaq

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have expressed sadness over the death of a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of Lagos State APC, Lanre Razaq, who passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 74 after a brief illness.

Sanwo-Olu, who described late Razaq’s death as a rude shock, said the deceased was a great politician, a strong party man and an advocate of masses oriented programmes.

Tinubu also described the passing of prominent politician, businessman and APC chieftain in Lagos State as a big loss to the state.

Razaq, Balogun of Epe, died on Saturday at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after a brief illness.

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Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Gboyega Akosile, said the deceased, in his lifetime stood for what is right, always championing policies that would lift the lot of the poor masses.

The governor added that late Razaq, popularly called KLM did not hide his love and support of his administration especially the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda.

“I am saddened by the death of one of our political leaders in Lagos APC, Chief Lanre Razaq. He was a loyal party man and committed democrat, with a deep understanding of the state’s political landscape. He was an extremely loyal politician, who did his best for our party, the All Progressives Congress.

“Chief Razaq served his people and Lagos State passionately as Chairman of Epe Local Government Area and Commissioner of Public Transportation. He brought a lot of development to Epe as a council boss and also made a lot of positive contributions to turn around public transportation in Lagos during his tenure as member of the State Executive Council.

“Chief Razaq was a great politician, a strong party man and an advocate of masses oriented programmes. His support for our T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda was exemplary. He always propelled us to do more for the people of Lagos State.

“There is no doubting the fact that he would be missed by the entire political class, particularly the people of Epe, the Lagos East Senatorial District and the atate as a whole,” Sanwo-Olu said.

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The governor also condoled with the immediate family of the departed, Tinubu, other GAC members, Lagos State APC and the entire people of Epe, praying God to grant the soul of the beloved Razaq eternal rest in Aljannah firdaus.

On his part, Tinubu said Rasaq was a grassroots politician, party loyalist and believer in the progressive cause.

Tinubu, in a condolence message issued by his Media Office and signed by his Media Aide, Tunde Rahman, said: “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Lanre Rasaq, a grassroots politician, well-known ally and a defender of the progressive cause.

“A member of our Governor’s Advisory Council in Lagos and one of the apex leaders in Lagos East, Chief Rasaq is an important part of our political movement.

“He was a loyal and energetic party man who did a lot for APC, Lagos State and his Epe hometown.

“Since he joined politics to meaningfully contribute his quota to the development of the people and betterment of the society, Chief Rasaq had had his hand on the plough and never to look back.

“He served Epe and Lagos State in various capacities including as Chairman of Epe Local Government Area and later Commissioner for Public Transportation in the state.

“So influential is Rasaq in his hometown that he was gifted the traditional title of Balogun of Epe. His death is a big loss to Lagos and Epe town. Lagos APC and members of the progressive family across the country will deeply miss him.

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“I mourn with his wife and children and the entire Rasaq family. May Almighty Allah give them the strength to live after their father and patriarch.

“I commiserate with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the government and people of the state, particularly the entire people of Epe for the loss of an illustrious son.

“May Almighty Allah forgive the late politician of his shortcomings, reward his good deeds and grant him Aljanna Fridaus. Amin.”

August 17, 2020
Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu Pay Glowing Tributes to APC Chieftain, Lanre Razaq

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have expressed sadness over the death of a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of Lagos State APC, Lanre Razaq, who passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 74 after a brief illness.

Sanwo-Olu, who described late Razaq’s death as a rude shock, said the deceased was a great politician, a strong party man and an advocate of masses oriented programmes.

Tinubu also described the passing of prominent politician, businessman and APC chieftain in Lagos State as a big loss to the state.

Razaq, Balogun of Epe, died on Saturday at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after a brief illness.

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Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Gboyega Akosile, said the deceased, in his lifetime stood for what is right, always championing policies that would lift the lot of the poor masses.

The governor added that late Razaq, popularly called KLM did not hide his love and support of his administration especially the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda.

“I am saddened by the death of one of our political leaders in Lagos APC, Chief Lanre Razaq. He was a loyal party man and committed democrat, with a deep understanding of the state’s political landscape. He was an extremely loyal politician, who did his best for our party, the All Progressives Congress.

“Chief Razaq served his people and Lagos State passionately as Chairman of Epe Local Government Area and Commissioner of Public Transportation. He brought a lot of development to Epe as a council boss and also made a lot of positive contributions to turn around public transportation in Lagos during his tenure as member of the State Executive Council.

“Chief Razaq was a great politician, a strong party man and an advocate of masses oriented programmes. His support for our T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda was exemplary. He always propelled us to do more for the people of Lagos State.

“There is no doubting the fact that he would be missed by the entire political class, particularly the people of Epe, the Lagos East Senatorial District and the atate as a whole,” Sanwo-Olu said.

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The governor also condoled with the immediate family of the departed, Tinubu, other GAC members, Lagos State APC and the entire people of Epe, praying God to grant the soul of the beloved Razaq eternal rest in Aljannah firdaus.

On his part, Tinubu said Rasaq was a grassroots politician, party loyalist and believer in the progressive cause.

Tinubu, in a condolence message issued by his Media Office and signed by his Media Aide, Tunde Rahman, said: “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Lanre Rasaq, a grassroots politician, well-known ally and a defender of the progressive cause.

“A member of our Governor’s Advisory Council in Lagos and one of the apex leaders in Lagos East, Chief Rasaq is an important part of our political movement.

“He was a loyal and energetic party man who did a lot for APC, Lagos State and his Epe hometown.

“Since he joined politics to meaningfully contribute his quota to the development of the people and betterment of the society, Chief Rasaq had had his hand on the plough and never to look back.

“He served Epe and Lagos State in various capacities including as Chairman of Epe Local Government Area and later Commissioner for Public Transportation in the state.

“So influential is Rasaq in his hometown that he was gifted the traditional title of Balogun of Epe. His death is a big loss to Lagos and Epe town. Lagos APC and members of the progressive family across the country will deeply miss him.

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“I mourn with his wife and children and the entire Rasaq family. May Almighty Allah give them the strength to live after their father and patriarch.

“I commiserate with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the government and people of the state, particularly the entire people of Epe for the loss of an illustrious son.

“May Almighty Allah forgive the late politician of his shortcomings, reward his good deeds and grant him Aljanna Fridaus. Amin.”

August 16, 2020
APC Chieftain in Lagos, Lanre Rasak, Dies of Coronavirus

A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Lanre Razak, and a member of Governor’s Advisory Committee (GAC), the highest decision-making body in Lagos State, has died of complications arising from the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Razaq, sources said, died early Saturday morning.

The Epe-born politician was said to have taken ill some days ago now.

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Information had it that he was already recovering only for him to pass on today at the age of 74.

Announcing his obituary, Bayo Osiyemi said Razaq died of COVID-19.

Osiyemi wrote: “Lagos State boisterous politician and the Balogun of Epe, Chief Lanre Rasaq is dead.

“He succumbed to the coronavirus pandemic on Lagos after a long battle with it.

“Chief Rasaq was a member of the state’s Governors Advisory Council (GAC) and was a one-time chairman of Epe local government before he was elevated to becoming the state commissioner for transportation in the military administration of Col Olagunsòyè Oyinlola.

“Bìg and burly, KLM, as he was widely known, was a member of several social organisations.

Breaking…Senator Buruji Kashamu Dies of Coronavirus

“He ran a flourishing construction company which was involved in many housing programs of govt on private-pinlic partnership basis.”

Razak had his political base in Epe where he earned the title of Balogun of Epeland. He was also honoured with the title of Fiwagbade of Lagos.

Idowu Sowunmi

August 15, 2020
Tinubu confesses admiration for Buruji Kashamu’s political sagacity

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has paid tribute to late Senator Buruji Kashamu.

Tinubu, in a statement he personally signed on Sunday, said he admired Kashamu’s political doggedness and sagacity, and his steadfastness in pursuing whatever he believes in, though not in the same political party.

AccordIng to him, “I’m deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the passing of Senator Buruji Kashamu. He was a notable leader in the country and a true grassroots politician. He fought for his convictions, for the people of Ogun State and for his country.

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“Senator Kashamu was also a good party man. He was unwavering in his support for his party, PDP, through all the twists and turns of his political life. His passing is a big loss to the larger political family in Nigeria.

“He worked assiduously to advance the political and economic fortunes of his state. Kashamu represented, with merit, Ogun East in the 8th National Assembly and worked well for his constituents. He was a kind and generous man, a philanthropist in his own right and an astute businessman.

“I admire his political doggedness and sagacity, and his steadfastness in pursuing whatever he believes in, though we were never in the same political party.

“His passing has lengthened the grotesque list of important personalities that have been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also a sad reminder that the deadly virus remains very much with us. We must all continue to embrace all the protective protocols recommended by the government and health authorities, even as we gradually begin the re-opening of our economy and return to a new normal in our life styles.”

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He added: “Again, Kashamu’s sudden death has demonstrated the transience of human life and rekindles the fact that death is inevitable for every mortal. As such, it behoves on us to be kind to the dead.

“I mourn with his family, particularly his wives, children and grandchildren. May Almighty Allah lay His hands of protection on them at this moment. I mourn with his friends and associates across the country.

“I also offer my condolences to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the government and people of Ogun State over the demise this important son of the soil. I pray that Almighty Allah forgive of his shortcomings, reward his good deeds and grant him Aljanna Fridaus.”

August 10, 2020
APC: DG, Progressives Governors calls for constitution amendment

Less than four months to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention, there has been a call for an amendment of the party’s constitution.

The Director-General of Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Dr Salihu Lukman, made this call in a statement, suggesting that the amendment of the 2014 constitution of the party before the convention will check what he described as perceived excesses of some party officials at the state and federal levels.

Lukman also advocated for a credible membership register ahead of the party’s national convention billed to hold in November this year.

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The PGF DG warned that only a credible membership register can hand over the party to the people and save its structures from being hijacked at the states and federal levels.

He further urged Yobe State Governor Mai Buni-led Caretaker and National Convention Planning Committee of the party to ensure that those who emerge as leaders of the party are not cronies of 2023 aspirants.

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According to him, party supremacy will only be guaranteed if wards and states congresses are conducted based on credible register of members which will humble any 2023 aspirants.

August 10, 2020
You Succeeded in Avoiding Justice, But Couldn’t Escape Death, Obasanjo Tells Kashamu

You Succeeded in Avoiding Justice, But Couldn’t Escape Death, Obasanjo Tells Kashamu

A former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, Saturday condoled with Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, over the death of Senator Buruji Kashamu.

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Senator Amosun mourns Buruji Kashamu

Obasanjo, in a statement, described Kashamu’s death as “sad,” but noted that his life and history left “lessons for those of all us on this side of the veil.”

He said: “Senator Buruji Kashamu in his lifetime used the maneuver of law and politics to escape from facing justice on alleged criminal offence in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.

“But no legal, political, cultural, social, or even medical maneuver could stop the cold hand of death when the Creator of all of us decides that the time is up.

“May Allah forgive his sin and accept his soul into Aljanah, and may God grant his family and friends fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

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Abiodun Mourns Buruji Kashamu, Describes Him as a Large-hearted Politician and Courageous Fighter

Kashamu, prior to his death, engaged in a series of legal battle against the Federal Government of Nigeria over his extradition to the United States of America to face alleged drug trafficking and fraud charges.

Idowu Sowunmi

Former President Obasanjo’s Condolence Letter on Late Buruji Kashamu.
Source: Adetomiwa Adetilewa

August 9, 2020
Senator Amosun mourns Buruji Kashamu

Senator Amosun mourns Buruji Kashamu

The Senator representing Ogun Central District at the Red Chamber, Senator Ibikunle AMOSUN, CON FCA has expressed sadness over the death, today, of a leading politician and stakeholder of Ogun State extraction, Senator Buruji Kashamu, aged 62.

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In a Press Release, signed by Alhaji Bola Adeyemi, his Media Assistant , Senator Amosun, who’s also the immediate past Governor of Ogun State said
“Death, once again, has robbed us of the contribution of an enigmatic politician of the PDP, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District at the 8th Senate, our dear brother Senator Buruji Kashamu”

He also said “although we belonged to different political persuasions, and disagreed on most issues, Senator Kashamu will nonetheless be remembered for his assertive presence in the political arena and uncommon doggedness”

” He fought myriad of wars with every breadth in his soul in the defence of whatever he believed in and for his personal freedom. Hate him or love him, he could not be easily ignored” according to him”

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Senator Amosun prayed that the Almighty Allah, SWT, will forgive Kashamu’s earthly sins and give him eternal rest.

He expressed condolences to the nuclear and political family members of the late founder and financier of the Omo Ilu Foundation, the Ijebu Igbo Community, and Ogun State as a whole.

August 8, 2020
Edo Assembly Crisis: Tinubu berates Obaseki, says he’s dictatorial

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Friday condemned Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, for resorting to the strong-arm tactics of dictators over crisis rocking the state House of Assembly.

Tinubu, in a terse statement titled: “In Defence of Constitutional Democracy,” which he personally signed, said: “The recent actions of the Governor of Edo State represent the gravest possible assault on constitutional democracy and the rule of law and escalation of violence and tension in the state he purports to govern.

“Not satisfied with making a mockery of our constitution by blocking the timely inauguration of two-thirds of the elected members of the Edo State House of Assembly, Governor Obaseki has now resorted to the strong-arm tactics of dictators.

“First, he sponsors hoodlums to deface, indeed destroy, parts of the House of Assembly Building in Benin, feigning the building is undergoing renovation. Then, he imports sand and gravels to prevent access to the assembly complex. In effect, the man has spent state funds to thwart the very apparatus of the state government he was sworn to uphold. He has squandered public money to defeat the very will of the public. This is tragic beyond words.

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“As a pretext for his refusal to allow Edo State House of Assembly to function, Governor Obaseki’s actions are perverse. This is a cowardly act and a move to thwart representative democracy in Edo. No renovation has been planned for the state house building. No appropriation was made in the state’s budget. The only reason any renovation could be deemed necessary is the destruction wrought by his own goons.

“Governor Obaseki’s governance of Edo State recalls the worst excesses of our military past and represents a direct threat to the democratic order. By his refusal to permit duly elected members of the Edo State House of Assembly to perform their constitutional duties, Governor Obaseki betrayed contempt for the people of his state and, unfortunately, his ignorance of Nigeria’s constitutional order. As a Governor he ought to know better than to obstruct the functioning of his own legislature, but perhaps he is in need of a quick lesson.”

Tinubu added: “The legislative function is, perhaps, the most foundational obligation of any government. In the UK, the Parliament was famously said to be “that supreme and absolute power, which gives life and motion to the English government.” In most democratic systems, the legislature is the arm of government containing within itself the people’s representatives in government.

“As such, the legislative arm is critical. It is an important symbol of democratic governance. The voice, will and desires of the people are reposed in their elected representatives sent to the legislature to express and distill their amorphous will into the laws and codes by which the society has agreed to live.

“In the context of a constitutional democracy such as ours, the legislature’s authority stems, in effect, from the recognition that it is the authentic mouthpiece of the people, entrusted with the responsibility of representing their collective will and the power to interpret and mould it into the laws of the land. It is, in short, not to be toyed with as a plaything of an errant and ill-disciplined governor. Undermine the legislature and you imperil democracy and allow governance to descend into anarchy.

“Indeed, it is no coincidence that of the three arms of government, the powers of the legislature are enumerated first, in our Constitution. The legislature is the authority imbued with the power to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the federation and states. Indeed, the Constitution makes clear that a Governor’s role primarily extends to the maintenance and implementation of the laws set down for him by his state’s legislature.”

Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, alleged that Obaseki’s conduct in the past year was undoubtedly impeachable.

“In placing himself above the legislature, deciding who gets in and who is shut out, Governor Obaseki not only places himself above our nation’s constitutional order, he places himself above the people of Edo State whose representatives he so brazenly tramples upon. One can only wonder, given the desperation with which he has acted and his belligerent refusal to honour the free choice of the people of his own state, what mortal offence the majority members he has shut out have committed to warrant such treatment.

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“These legislators have made no threat to impeach the Governor. Their only desire is to peacefully perform the duties asked of them by the constituents who elected them. What, then, is their offense? By all appearances, the Governor is punishing these legislators for their loyalty to a party that is no longer his own. If every governor behaves as he, obstructing the performance of any legislator who does not pledge to him their undying fealty, the entire edifice of democratic governance in Nigeria would grind to a complete halt.

“In his campaign for re-election, Governor Obaseki promises to represent and defend the interests of all the people of his state. Yet, so blinded is he by his personal ambition, he sees no irony in the fact that his actions have denied two-thirds of the people of his state their right to representation in the state’s only legislative chamber.

“Governor Obaseki must think the people of his state to be as foolhardy and ignorant as he, for even as he courts their votes, he continues to make a mockery of the institution of democracy in his own House of Assembly. If Governor Obaseki believes the people are not aware of this inherent irony, he will undoubtedly learn the cost of this grave miscalculation in the fullness of time.

“The rule of law and preservation of democracy is too important to sacrifice at the altar of any one man’s ambition. Governor Obaseki’s woeful leadership of Edo State will hopefully be brought to an end soon by the very people whose rights he has so carelessly trampled upon. One can only hope that the damage he is doing to the most important of the state’s democratic institutions can just as easily be repaired.”

Idowu Sowunmi

August 7, 2020
Malami Orders Police Chief to Provide Security for 17 Edo Lawmakers

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, Friday directed the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to provide security for the 17 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State.

Malami, in a letter dated August 5 based on a petition to his office by Idahosa-West Chambers, said the security measure has become necessary to prevent breakdown of law and order.

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The 17 lawmakers, who are supporting APC governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, have been locked in a battle to access Edo State House of Assembly complex on Ring Road, Benin against seven legislators loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Malami’s letter below:

August 7, 2020
Invasion of Edo Assembly: Obaseki Speaks; HURIWA Describes Action as Attempted Coup

Edo State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, has condemned the Thursday invasion of the state House of Assembly Complex by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police.

This was coming as the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has also strongly flayed the invasion, saying the attempt by the police “to take over Edo State House of Assembly is unconstitutional and illegal.”

Obaseki, while speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, alleged that the invasion was part of the move by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to distract the PDP governorship candidate.

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“APC is panic-stricken by the huge crowd of supporters in the campaign train of Governor Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming election, and resorted to the devilish plot to illegally hijack the legislature, inaugurate a parallel Assembly and possibly impeach the governor.

“To the glory of God, their plan failed. What APC has failed to understand is that in the hearts of millions of Edo people, Obaseki has become a movement, beyond a candidate that is seeking reelection.

“Edo people will resist anything short of a free, fair and credible election, come September 19.

“Only this morning, my attention was drawn to a post trending on social media in which a man, who just passed on, donated his house for Governor Obaseki’s reelection campaigns.

“The children of the late man said that their father left a will that the reelection campaign of the governor should be done in his house. I was moved by the gesture and this is another proof of the degree of affection Edo people have for Obaseki.

“Besides, leaders of APC already know that they stand no chance in the election and are working day and night to subvert the will of the people, and this morning’s stunt was one of such.

“We expect more shenanigans from APC, no matter how absurd, in the coming days, as we move closer to the September 19 date, when Edo people will reaffirm their confidence in Obaseki with their massive votes,” Osagie said.

In its reaction, HURIWA challenged the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to look into the matter in the spirit of the Nigerian constitution.

“The Nigeria constitution has articulated and stipulated what is called separation of powers as enshrined in sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended.

“The Inspector General of Police should read those sections of the constitution to know that he has no powers to interfere in the affairs of the state legislature unless he is legally and duly invited by the properly constituted authority of the state legislature. If he was not invited by the speaker of Edo State House of Assembly and if the speculation is true that the police is there to destabilise Edo State House of Assembly then the action must stop immediately and all those police operatives that carried out the illegal operation must be arrested and prosecuted alongside the person, who authorised such an unmitigated illegality of monumental proportions which also is an attempted coup d’tat.

“If the IGP was the one that gave the illegal order then he should be arrested and prosecuted because he is not above the law. If, on the other hand, the presence of the police in Edo State House of Assembly is on the invitation from the Speaker it is ok, provided the police is properly invited by the properly constituted authority of Edo State House of Assembly. It must be the speaker of the House of Assembly.

“If it is the former Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, that invited the police, then it is illegal and he too should be arrested for attempted overthrow of a part of government, because it is a coup and treason for anybody to try to change any government through illegalities as adumbrated unambiguously by the Supreme law of Nigeria.

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“Indeed, he, Adams Oshiomhole, the IGP and even Mr. President lacks the constitutional powers to remove the properly constituted hierarchy of the legislative chambers whether at the national or sub-national levels.

“Section 1 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria says clearly thus: ‘This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on the authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’

“We hereby without reservations, absolutely condemn as despicable, reprehensible and odious any attempt to destabilise Edo State House of Assembly and all those involved if confirmed, must be rounded up and prosecuted for treasonable felony.

“We warn all political actors in Edo State to play the game by the rules and allow peace to be sustained in Edo State and Nigeria as a whole. Let the good people of Edo State not sit by and allow their dear state to be destroyed by self-seeking dictators. Your land is your life. Protect it,” said HURIWA, in a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko and Director of National Media Affairs, Zainab Yusuf.

Idowu Sowunmi

August 6, 2020