The House of Representatives on Wednesday directed the Inspector General of Police and Director of State Services to immediately shut down the Edo State House of Assembly.
The House also ordered the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to issue fresh proclamation within one week and publish same in a national newspaper.
Reps took the decision after careful investigation of crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly.
Obaseki had earlier blamed his predecessor, Adams Oshiomole for the crisis rocking the assembly.
He said that the failure of the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress to properly investigate issues in the Assembly caused the crisis to linger.
Obaseki told the Senate Committee set up to look into Edo Assembly crisis that there are issues within the legislature and they have gone to the judiciary as the constitution provides for a clear separation of powers.
According to him, “When people arbitrarily make up their minds because of some predetermined outcomes and make statements and conduct themselves, this is what it leads to.
“I issued a proclamation. Consultations were held before the proclamation was issued. Various party organs met before decisions were reached. As far as I am concerned, I abide by the Constitution and issued a proclamation. I believe in the separation of powers.
“Whatever the outcome, we expected that if a higher authority were concerned about the fate of this state, they would have called to see how to resolve the issue but that wasn’t done. The matter has moved to court and all parties are in court. I have done my own beat. Within the legislature, there are issues and they have gone to the judiciary and the constitution provides for a clear separation of powers.
“We have evidence that people are under pressure. Look at this matter in the interest of our country and in defence of our democracy.”
