The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state has condemned the suspension of the 18 local government chairmen.
Describing the suspension as unconstitutional, the Edo PDP Caretaker Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, in a statement, said the chairmen and their vice were not given the opportunity to defend themselves.
Chronicle NG reports that the Edo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed a resolution suspending the chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils of the state.
The council chairman and their deputies were suspended following a motion proposed by Isibor Adeh, member of Esan North East 1, and seconded by Mr. Donald Okogbe, member of Akoko-Edo 2.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had earlier petitioned the House over the chairmen’s failure to give their local government’s financial records to the state.
In the letter, the governor termed the LG chairmen’s refusal as an act of insubordination and serious misconduct and asked the House to investigate the situation.
When the topic came up for debate on Tuesday, 14 members supported the proposal to suspend the LG chairmen, six opposed it, and three remained neutral.
Blessing Agbebaku, the Speaker of the House, instructed the members that they all speak on the topic.
The Speaker said, “I will implore that all members of the House speak on this matter before a decision is taken.”
Reacting to the suspension, the PDP said, “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 argued that Governor Okpebholo lacked the power to demand the financial statements of the LGA in light of the Supreme Court judgement 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.”
