House decision on Edo Assembly illegal, overheating policy – Clark

Former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has described as illegal, double standard and unconstitutional, the House of Representatives’ directive to the Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, to issue a new proclamation within one week for the proper inauguration of the House.

“The House of Representatives alone have no power or authority to interfere in the affairs of the Edo State House of Assembly as it is asserted to have done. It is unconstitutional and of no legal effect, said the elder statesman on Monday.

“Simply put, it is only the Senate and the House of Representatives which form the National Assembly has the power or authority to interfere in the matter of the Edo State House of Assembly. The Senate cannot do it alone, and the House of Representatives cannot also do it alone. The two must act together. 

“The National Assembly must carry out its functions either in the making of Bills or passing of Resolutions which they do in carrying out such functions create issues that will affect the peace and welfare of the people. 

Clark who said the decision was overheating the polity, has therefore urged the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to retract his order for the sake of peace.

The House had also directed the Inspector General of Police and Director-General of the Department of State Service, DSS, to shut down the Assembly and provide adequate security to allay further fears of intimidation and threat as alleged by some members-elect.

But Clark while addressing a press conference in Abuja, said, “those of us who have retired must speak out. The House of Representatives must retract their decision because it’s not backed by the constitution.”

 “The power you have over States Houses of Assembly, is Constitutional which must be exercised with due process.

Besides, he also urged the National Assembly to wait for the court to interpret the cases cited in reaching their decisions.

The elderstatesman said as a stakeholder who has served the nation in various capacity for over 60 years including as a senator, he is qualified to comment on any national issues affecting the welfare and peaceful co-existence of a united Nigeria.