Edo Assembly crisis: Buhari has directed Obaseki to issue fresh proclamation – Gov El’Rufai

President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly directed Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to issue a fresh proclamation for inauguration of Edo State House of Assembly.

Obaseki & Oshiomhole Impeccable sources disclosed to newsmen, weekend, that Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who is a member of Committee set up by President Buhari to resolve the Edo state crisis, declared the stand of Mr. President at the first reconciliatory meeting of the group, last Monday, in Abuja.

The committee headed by Chair of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state has Governor El-Rufai and business magnate, Alhaji Aliko Dangote as members. Both the National Chair of All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki are members of the committee.

It was gathered that Governor El-Rufai informed the meeting as they commenced that he had information from President Buhari.

He hinted: “The Kaduna governor told the meeting that President Buhari wants Obaseki to issue fresh proclamation for re-inauguration of House of Assembly, and anybody interested in the Speaker position should contest it.” Obaseki’s position “Governor Obaseki interjected, saying he thought they were looking for peace, but having seen the handwriting on the wall even before the meeting, he said he would want to appeal to Oshiomhole for a situation where the self-worth of both sides would be accommodated in the final resolution,” he said

Journalists learned that the governor argued that if the present Speaker, Hon Frank Okiye would be sacrificed, then Oshiomhole should also shift grounds on his preferred candidate, Hon Victor Edoror for a neutral person, Hon Emmanuel Okoduwa. Governor el-Rufai demanded to know what Obaseki meant by accommodating the interests of both sides, saying if the governor wants anybody Hon Emmanuel Okoduwa in the new dispensation as Speaker, he should ask him to lobby his colleagues and he (Obaseki) should also lobby the lawmakers for him.

The Kaduna governor made reference to the recent inauguration of the National Assembly, where the President and the party settled for the incumbent Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, but Senator Mohammed Ndume insisted on his rights to contest and everybody went to lobby the senators-elect. Oshiomhole’s tacit response Oshiomohole in his response stated that his stand is what the President enunciated through el-Rufai.

The meeting ended the first day without conclusion, therefore, it was adjourned to the next day.” Inconclusive

On the second day, last Tuesday, they could not also take a formal position with the governor saying that he had shifted grounds, so, the other side should also shift grounds.

(Credit: Vanguard)