The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo and his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa of failing to officially resign from their positions at the National Assembly.
The caretaker committee chairman of the party in the state, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi at a press briefing on Tuesday in Benin City said the duo were making mockery of their constituents and denying them adequate representation.
“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, Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo accused the PDP of displaying ignorance.
According to him, again, the PDP is openly displaying its ignorance. When members of the National Assembly are elevated, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives declare their seats vacant.
He, however, urged the Edo people to ignore PDP for its open display of ignorance.