Divisive Governor swears in 5 judges, exempt 3 others ……Obaseki yet to fully eat the humble pie

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Reminiscent of the polarisation of the Edo State House of Assembly, where Governor Godwin Obaseki orchestrated the inauguration of 10 out of 24 members, a repeat has reared its ugly head in the judiciary, as the governor yesterday, swore in 5 judges out of the 8 cleared.

A statement by the Senator Monday Okpebholo Campaign Organisation signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. John Mayaki said the Obaseki administration has plunged the state into political turmoil and set to also put the judiciary in crisis by exempting three of the judges designates.

The statement said, “It would be recalled that the Senator Monday Okpebholo campaign organisation called out the governor during the celebration of workers day over his refusal to swear in the 8 judges designate after National Judicial Council recommended these judges for appointment to the Edo State High Court in June 2023. On Friday, the governor succumbed but yet to fully eat the humble pie.

“The mismanagement of the government and the resources of the state by Governor Godwin Obaseki was first witnessed when he orchestrated the swearing in of 10 members of the state House of Assembly instead of 24 and thereby exempting 14 others until the expiration of their tenure. A repeat of that ugly scenario is at play except Nigerians prevail of the governor.

“You would recall that our beloved state went through some dark days of political crisis in the first tenure of Governor Godwin Obaseki over the denial of elected members of the state House of Assembly and today, the governor is about reenacting same by swearing in five judges without any explanation for the remaining three others.

“We want to congratulate those judges who are lucky to escape the edge of Obaseki’s dangerous sword. The following judges Hon. Justice Osayande, Hon. Justice Oniha, Hon. Justice Otamere, Hon. Justice Obayuwana, and Hon. Justice Okon were sworn in while three others were left out.

“We call on the governor to immediately resolve whatever issues there are leading to the exemption of these three judges and do the needful otherwise, any further delay would be seen as an affront on the third tier of government by the executive, an abuse of office and the constitution”.

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