Edo: Suspension of 18 LG council chairmen illegal – PDP

For passing a resolution suspending 18 Local Government Council Areas in Edo State, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the immediate ruling party in the State has condemned the action of the State Assembly and Governor Monday Okpebholo.

PDP in a statement signed by the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi contented that the LG Chaimen and their deputies were not given opportunity to defend the allegations levelled against them, describing their suspension from office as unconstitutional.

“The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party condemns in the strongest terms the illegal suspension of the Chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State by the Edo State House of Assembly, following the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

“We want to clearly state that this action is unconstitutional, null, and void.

“The illegal suspension is a blatant disregard for 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.”

The PDP contended that Governor Okpebholo lacked the power to demand the financial statements of the LGA in the light of the Supreme Court judgment granting LGs autonomy.

“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, with respect to the rule of law and democratic governance.”

CAPITAL POST recalled that the State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution suspending 18 Local Government Council Chairmen, following allegations that they all refused to submit their account details to the State Government.

The House also mandated leaders of the legislative arms to take over leadership of their respective councils.
The suspension of the council chairmen and their deputies was sequel to a motion moved by the member representing Esan North East 1, Isibor Adeh and seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo 2, Mr Donald Okogbe.

Governor Monday Okpebholo had earlier written a petition to the House over the refusal of the chairmen to submit financial records of their local government to the state government.

In the letter, the governor, who described the LG chairmen’s refusal as an act of insubordination and gross misconduct, requested the House to look into the matter.

When the matter came up for debate on Tuesday, 14 members supported the motion for the suspension of the LG chairmen, six lawmakers were opposed to the motion while three members maintained neutrality.

The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, told the members that all of them must speak on the matter.

The Speaker said, “I will implore that all members of the House speak on this matter before a decision is taken.”
After they had all spoken, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, to do a head count of the members who supported or opposed the suspension of the council’s chairmen and their deputies.