Barr. Anselm Ojezua, the Chairman of Edo State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), in this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, speaks on developments in the party and the crisis rocking the state’s House of Assembly. Excerpts:

What is the situation of Edo APC now amidst allegations that the party is factionalised between loyalists of Governor Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole?

The situation is calm and peaceful. We are as united as any political organisation can be.

Are you worried by the developments in the State’s House of Assembly where eight out of 24 lawmakers-elect were inaugurated while the remaining 16 claimed they were not invited?

Why should I be worried? We have been anxious that the House should be inaugurated and that has been done. So, I am happy that has happened. What I know is that eight of them are enough to form a quorum. So, if they have nine members, that is one more. Let me also add that yesterday, I was briefed by the clerk of the House. He told me that 10 members as at the time the governor issued the letter of proclamation had satisfied the requirements of declaring their assets out of the 24 members.

This means only those 10 members are eligible to be sworn-in. He said nine of them were sworn-in and they proceeded with the business of the House as provided in their rules and the constitution. How can I fault that? What is even more, the man who is sworn-in as Speaker was the man the party had recommended. If it had gone otherwise, then I would have been worried because the relevance of the party in the scheme of political things would have been questioned”.

If the products of the party cannot comply with the simple directives legitimate and constitutional, then something is wrong. But that the thing went the way the party wanted it, in my opinion is something to be grateful for. I am happy about it.

We understand the lawmakers who were denied access to the House are supporters and loyalists of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole while those loyal to Obaseki are the ones inaugurated. How true is that?

All of us are loyalists of Adams Oshiomhole. Apart from the fact that he is the national chairman of our party, he was also our governor here and most of us enjoy our positions by reason of his input. So, nobody in Edo APC today can claim sole ownership of Adams Oshiomhole. He is the general leader of all of us. Let me add here that when Oshiomhole puts people in positions, he did not put robots or puppets in positions. He put people he knew will add value to the political and governance of the state. And so, let people not deceive anybody that some people are Oshiomhole’s loyalists and some others are not. Everybody in Edo APC are Oshiomhole’s people.

On a final note, let me add that the behaviour of some of these lawmakers will not be tolerated. We are calling on the national chairman who must have heard about their ignoble acts, to call them to order. What they have done is condemnable and will be handled with a firm hand. That is what we are going to do.

The behaviour of some of these members-elect is a cause for concern for the leadership of the state chapter of the APC. We are disappointed with their conduct and the way and manner they have carried themselves in the last couple of days. It is unbecoming of worthy representatives of the people.

We condemn their conduct in its totality and their tantrum betrays party supremacy. This is why we are exploring sanctions against those found wanting in no distant time. In fact, their punishment is in fixed deposit. The process leading to the emergence of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye and his Deputy, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, was in line with the constitution. One will expect that people who ran for legislative office should know better to go to the court if they feel otherwise.