The Edo State Government has asserted that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, does not have the constitutional authority to suspend the Edo Security Corps (ESC).
According to the government, the ESC is an entity established by the Edo State House of Assembly.
This statement came in response to the IGP’s announcement at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholder meeting that the ESC would be suspended ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
Crusoe Osagie, a spokesperson for the Edo State Government, emphasized: “The ESC is a legally constituted body, created by a law passed by the Edo State House of Assembly. The IGP’s action is comparable to disbanding the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Operation Amotekun, before the Ondo State governorship election.”
However, in the interest of maintaining peace, Governor Godwin Obaseki has directed that all ESC officials take leave from today until September 23, after the election.
The government further highlighted that the IGP’s directive is unconstitutional, citing Sections 11 (1) and 11 (2), which empower State Houses of Assembly to establish structures for public safety and security within their jurisdictions.
