The federal government has said that Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, did not act outside his constitutional jurisdiction in the execution of four death row inmates in the state. The reaction by the federal government is sequel to the Monday execution of Osaremwinda Aigbuohian, Daniel Nsofor, and two others in Edo State, a situation that generated both local and international criticisms.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja during the stakeholders consultative forum on the 2nd cycle of Nigeria’s Universal Periodic Review, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, said that the constitution and the criminal code were handed over to Nigeria during the colonial administration.
He emphasised that the constitution remained the guiding principle to the nation, saying Nigeria should not shy away to what is right according to the dictates of the constitution
“In Edo state, what happened recently has nothing to do with the federal government. We have a constitution where the states are autonomous.
“Don’t forget the constitution was followed by review but the criminal code that we are using was handed over to us by the colonial powers and it is when the constitution is reviewed that the status quo will be reviewed.
“So, there are areas where governors have authorities and in this case, that was what happened in Edo State where the governor exercised the constitutional provision to sign the execution that is there.
“I think the governor of Edo State, acted within his constitutional power.
“So, don’t shy away to what we believed is right and what we believe is in the constitution. We have a constitution and it is our constitution that will guide us. When we look around, it is our constitution that will guide us,” Ashiru said.
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