A pro-democracy group, the Strategy Advocacy Outreach , has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Justice Muhammad Tanko, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Malami Abubakar and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association , Mr. Olumide Akpata, over the lingering Edo House of Assembly crisis, which has left 14 elected members on the sidelines, unable to offer representation to their constituencies.
Citing the danger this incident poses to Nigeria’s democracy, Mayaki explained that the continued exclusion of the elected members violates the protected rights of citizens to choose their representatives in government and for their voices to be heard before actions are taken on important matters of state.
According to the group, the legislative arm of government represents the pillar of democracy, given its checks and balance role and constitutional mandate to ensure that policies enjoy the backing of the majority before they become law.
The Edo Assembly issue is now more of a matter of law than of politics. Only the courts that can now speak to the situation. Over 2 years after the other members were inaugurated, are the ones not inaugurated still members-elect or have their elections been overtaken by events?