A High Court in Benin, Edo State, on Friday reinstated the suspended chairmen and vice chairmen of the state’s 18 local government councils.
The court, presided over by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, granted the order in action No. B/307/OS/24 submitted by the affected chairmen and vice chairmen.
The order further barred the defendants, including Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Edo government, from acting on the state House of Assembly’s motion to suspend the claimants.
The court directed that the status quo ante bellum as of December 12 be maintained pending the hearing and decision on the motion on notice filed on December 12, 2024.
The judge adjourned the hearing until February 17, 2025, and directed that a hearing notice be issued and served on the defendants.
Reacting to the happenings, the ALGON in the state, through its Vice Chairman, Tajudeen Alade, stated that the court’s judgement and Fagbemi’s words will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
According to him, “ALGON Edo state has issued a statement, the national body has also issued a statement, but most importantly is the statement that emanated from the Attorney General of the Federation; it goes to show that we are prepared for the journey ahead to rescue Nigeria from the doldrums.
“We are very much appreciative of this current development, and no doubt that will spur us as local government chairmen in Edo State to continue to hit the ground running in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people irrespective of the economic crunch, which we know we will get out of if we work together.”
The council chairmen stated that they were willing to collaborate with Governor Monday Okpebholo for the welfare of the state.
He added, “And to the state governor, he remains our father, and of course, we will continue to give him the due respect.
“The idea of misconduct or insubordination does not arise at all because we are intelligent people, and we understand that both the local government and the state need to partner to ensure that the state moves forward, and by the special grace of God, we will continue to toe that part to ensure that both the state and the local governments are not at loggerheads.
“I can assure you that despite this ugly development, we are still not at loggerheads, and for the House of Assembly, I am sure they will have a rethink, and the court has been doing the needful not to favour us but to strengthen democracy, and the fourth estate of the realm has also been doing a great job.”
