The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State has claimed that Governor Monday Okpebholo and his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa were making mockery of their constituents for refusing to officially resign their seat from the National Assembly. Caretaker committee chairman of the party in the state, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi made the call during a press briefing yesterday in Benin City, saying the right thing to do is to put forward their resignation.
According to Aziegbemi failure by the duo to officially resign from their positions at the National Assembly was denying their constituency’s adequate representation in the national assembly.
The statement partly reads; “Two weeks after their inauguration on November 12, the governor Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa, failed to officially resign from their respective seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives, denying their constituencies of representation at the National Assembly in line with section 68(1)d of the 1999 Constitution as amended,
“A member of the Senate or the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if he becomes President, Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor or a Minister of the Government of the Federation or a Commissioner of the Government of a State or a Special Adviser.
“How can they simultaneously hold the positions of Governor and Senator, as well as Deputy Governor and member of the House of Representatives?
“It is only right and constitutional that they should resign their membership, allowing their seats to be declared vacant and paving the way for a by-election.
“But again, APC thrives on illegality and lawlessness, and has continued to thread on the infamous path, while making a mockery of their constituents”, he said.
Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor Fred Itua, has accused the PDP of displaying ignorance.
According to him, themain opposition PDP is openly displaying its ignorance as usual. When members of the National Assembly are elevated, it is the duty of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare their seats vacant at the hallow chamber.
Meanwhile, he urged the Edo people to ignore PDP for its open display of ignorance and go about their lawful activities.
