The 18 Local Government Council Chairmen of Edo State and their deputies have been suspended from office for two months, by the resolution of the State House of Assembly.
The suspension order on Tuesday, 17 December, 2024 followed a motion moved by the member representing Esan-North-East Constituency 1, Hon. Isibor Adeh; seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency II, Donald Okogbe.
In their place, leaders of the Legislative Arm of the Councils are to take charge of affairs, it was ordered.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo
The Governor of the State, Senator Monday Okpebholo had written a petition to the House over a refusal of the Chairmen to submit financial records of their Local Government Councils to the State Government, as directed.
In the letter, the Governor who described their action as an act of insubordination and gross misconduct, requested the Legislative members to look into the petition.
But it was however a divided House when the matter came up for debate; with 14 members supporting the motion, six others were opposed to it while three members chose to be neutral.
Prior to the debate, speaker of the House, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku urged that all the members must speak on the matter.
A few weeks ago, the Governor had ordered the Council Chairmen to submit their statement of accounts beginning on the 4th of September 2023, to date; to the Assets Verification Committee within 48 hours.
“The Governor would want you to submit your statement of accounts from 4th of September 2023, to date, to the Assets Verification Committee within the next 48 hours (2 days), as that would help and enable the Committee do its job effectively and efficiently.“
The statement of accounts was directed to be sent through the office of the Secretary to the State Government to the Assets Verification Committee.
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Reaction
In a swift reaction, the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in the strongest terms what it termed; the illegal suspension of the Chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Edo State, by the Edo State House of Assembly following directive of the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
The PDP made the condemnation in a statement signed by the State Chairman of the Party, Anthony Aziegbemi almost immediately on Tuesday, and availed the media in Benin.
“We want to clearly state that this action is unconstitutional, null, and void.
“The illegal suspension is a blatant disregard of the recent ruling of the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, and the Supreme Court’s decision in a suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, which affirmed the autonomy and independence of local governments as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“How can a Governor direct the State Assembly to suspend democratically elected Chairmen of the 18 local Councils for insubordination when these elected officials enjoy autonomy and independence as enshrined in the Constitution and are not subordinates of the Governor, the State Assembly, or any other arm of government?
“We are also aware that the Chairmen and their vices weren’t even given the opportunity to be heard in their defence and were suspended unheard on watery trumped up charges, in total disregard to the Constitution.
“We want to restate that the Constitution remains supreme, and any attempt to undermine its provisions or disregard the judiciary and its rulings is not only illegal but also a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law.
“The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and the entire Assembly have clearly overstepped their constitutional mandates with this illegal action; and we urge them to immediately reverse its decision, in respect to the rule of law and democratic governance.
“We therefore direct the Council Chairmen and their vice Chairmen to report to their Councils tomorrow to carry on with their normal duties.
“We also invite the Attorney General and minister of justice of the federation to call the Edo State Governor-select to order as his action is not only in breach of the constitution, but a threat to security.“
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