“An elder cannot be at home and  mother Goat is allowed to give birth with rope tied to its neck on a stake.”—African Proverb
September 10, 2016  is the date set aside by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the Governorship Election in Edo State and by November, a new Governor would be sworn-in to govern Edo people for the next four years. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is a party expected to produce the next governor given its track record of massive development across the state under the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
As it were, it is roughly six months to the end of the tenure of the incumbent governor and we knew how he was able to pull through a PDP- dominated House when he assumed office in November 2008. It was a fight well fought and won by the Governor as he had the backing of Edo people behind him. Also, prior to last year’s general election, Edo people witnessed the infiltration of the Edo State House of Assembly by the Federal Government- led by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They tried in vain to cause commotion and unleashed mayhem at the Edo State House of Assembly. The PDP did all it could to balkanise the House,  but Edo Assembly survived it all working in tandem with the executive arm of government. All of these remain part of the immediate history of the Edo State House of Assembly which leaves some lessons for today’s actions.
Last week, the Edo State House of Assembly and our comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, for the first time, openly disagreed over the resolution on tenure of local government chairmen passed by the legislature. The House had on April 18, passed a resolution directing Local Government chairmen to hand over administration to their respective council’s Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) at the expiration of their three-year tenure on April 21.
However, in a letter  to the House on Wednesday, the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole described the House resolution as “inappropriate and unacceptable.” He further said the resolution was ” a usurpation of the powers of the executive.” He further stated that  the House does not have the power to give such directive. The Governor, also said he had  “directed the local government chairmen to submit their handing over note and transmit such to the office of the governor.’’
When the Governor’s letter was read on the floor of the House during its plenary last week, the reactions from Honourable members indicated that  both parties need to sheath their swords in the interest of Edo people at large and in the interest of the ruling party in the state, the APC. The Honourable members said  they derived their  powers from the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and they are right just as the Governor is equally right to state that he is deriving his powers from the nation’s constitution and the constitution cannot contradict itself on such matters as separation of powers.
During the plenary that gave an indication that both parties need to fine tune some grey areas, one of the Honourable members, Kabiru Adjoto stated inter alia: “We did not dissolve the councils, what we did was to remind them that their tenure expires on Thursday, April 21, 2016 and directed them to hand over administration to their various heads of local government as there can be no vacuum in government.”
That said, he went on to accuse the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of misinforming  the state governor on the matter.  He proceeded to request that the Commissioner be invited to explain his role to the plenary and put it to vote:  “I want to move that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Henry Idahagbon, be invited to explain why he has misinformed the governor on constitutional matters.” Other lawmakers, who reacted to the letter, unanimously concurred with Adjoto submissions and  the commissioner was summoned by the Speaker, Mr. Victor Edoror. The council chairmen have since handed over the reins of their various councils to their respective HOLGA.
Earlier, the lawmakers had invited four commissioners to appear before it. The State commissioners of Finance, Education, Housing and Urban Development as well as that of Environment were summoned by the house to explain the financial implication of the Edo State University, Iyamo. Three of them had written to the House that the date coincided with state executive meeting. One of them did not make any representation. The House members during plenary felt slighted by the action of the commissioners who have been given new date to appear. But some lawmakers have  argued that appearance before the House was superior to the exco meeting and they described the commissioners’ non-appearance as “executive rascality”. Clearly, tempers are rising over all of these issues. But there is the need for all frayed nerves to be calmed in the overall interest of the good people of Edo state.
Some persons have argued that what seems to be a budding frosty relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government is not unconnected with the upcoming gubernatorial primaries which will eventually see the emergence of the APC standard bearer for the September poll. But the lawmakers and the executive must not give room for the  hawks, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party to rear their ugly heads again in the state. Edo people have rejected the PDP roundly and we appeal that it must remain so.
It is also worth noting that since the present House of Assembly was inaugurated mid  last year, they have operated in what all Edos can appreciate as a harmonious working relationship with the executive arm of government to deliver on the dividends of democracy being enjoyed by citizens across the state. If there is any wish from the good people of the state, it is for that harmony, peace and concord to continue to reign, even though the constitution of the country guarantees the separation of powers of both arms of government. Their working harmoniously is what has give peace and development to Edo people. Anything short of that will lead to acrimony, accusations and counter-accusations. It is an ill-wind that would blow no one any good.  These are vices that could potentially wreak a devastating toll on the state’s development. That is why it has become imperative to nip what could be perceived as a looming misunderstanding of both parties in the bud vide this treatise and mediation by our respected party leaders.
Mine is a passionate appeal to both parties to forge a common front and work together for the upcoming governorship election. The opposition are on the flanks watching and plotting how to throw spanner in our works and they must not have that chance. We must hold unto the confidence reposed on us by Edo people. Our comrade Governor has performed excellently well, just like the current House of Assembly and we need to build on this marvelous achievements going forward.
Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State.

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