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PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen - Politics - Nairaland

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PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Josepholome: 2:08am On Dec 18
The Edo State House of Assembly’s suspension of all elected chairmen and vice-chairmen across the 18 local government councils has sparked widespread outrage, with critics describing the move as a blatant violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the recent Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy.

The House acted on a petition submitted by Governor Monday Okpebholo, who had earlier demanded that the local government chairmen submit statements of accounts to him—a demand widely criticized for its lack of legal basis. The suspended chairmen, all members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had already obtained an injunction restraining the governor from interfering in their constitutionally guaranteed functions.

Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees that “the system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed.” Legal experts point to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling reaffirming that state governments lack the legal authority to interfere in the operations or finances of local governments.

Reacting to the development, Barr. Anthony Ehilebo, a PDP chieftain and Special Adviser on Media to Barr. Asue Ighodalo, lambasted the suspension as both illegal and politically motivated. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ehilebo remarked “This all started when the governor asked the LGA chairmen to submit statements of accounts to him. Of course, he has no legal backing to make such a demand; and everyone will recognize that it flies in the face of the recent Supreme Court judgement on the financial autonomy of local governments. In fact, the governor and the assembly members are in contempt of the Supreme Court. The purported suspension of the local government chairmen by the state assembly is as absurd as the president asking the National Assembly to suspend state governors because they refused to submit statement of accounts to him. This is a witch hunt. The LGA chairmen are all PDP members. The suspension is unknown to law and will be ignored.”

PDP’s Official Condemnation

In a strongly worded statement, the Edo State PDP Chairman described the suspension as an abuse of power. “This suspension is nothing but a desperate attempt to silence opposition and undermine local government autonomy. It is politically motivated, unconstitutional, and dead on arrival.”

The statement further called on the judiciary to intervene and uphold the rule of law, urging civil society to resist what the party described as a “reckless assault on democratic institutions.”

Legal Community Reacts

Prominent legal experts have been swift to criticize the suspension. Barr. Osaretin, a constitutional lawyer, expressed particular concern over Governor Okpebholo’s directive to councils regarding special funds. “The letters the governor sent to councils asking them not to spend special security/environmental funds are particularly egregious. The Governor has no constitutional authority to prevent councils from either accessing or spending their monies. He also cannot ask them to send statements of account to him. The legislative arm of the councils is there to perform oversight functions for the Council, not the governor and not the state assembly. His Attorney General needs to give better advice.”

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Olisa Agbakoba had earlier condemned the similar suspension of the Chairman of Alimosho Council in Lagos state by the Lagos State House of Assembly, emphasizing the constitutional protection of local government autonomy. “I don’t understand how a resolution would be passed by a State Assembly to suspend an elected chairman. The House of Assembly or a governor of a state does not have the power to remove or suspend an elected chairman or vice-chairman of a council. It is absolutely unconstitutional.

“The 774 local governments were created by Section 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the chairmen are democratically elected. The 774 council chairmen are elected by the people and not by any politician, group of people, or an institution like the House of Assembly.”

Agbakoba emphasized that the only legal avenue for removing an erring local government chairman is through a decision of the council’s legislative body or councillors.

The suspension has raised alarm among civil society organizations and democracy advocates, who fear that it undermines Nigeria’s federal structure. By sidelining elected local government officials, Governor Okpebholo and the Edo State House of Assembly risk eroding public trust in democratic governance and setting a dangerous precedent.

The PDP has vowed to challenge the suspension in court, calling for an immediate reversal of what it describes as a “brazen assault on the Constitution and the rule of law.” As legal battles loom, stakeholders across the state are closely watching how the judiciary will address what many see as a litmus test for local government autonomy in Nigeria.

https://nannews.com.ng/2024/12/17/pdp-faults-suspension-of-lg-chairmen-in-edo/

3 Likes

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Eteka1(m): 2:54am On Dec 18
Illiterate Okpebholo should be called to order. But why would the House of Assembly which is PDP agree to do such an unconstitutional thing? Shame on them all.

30 Likes 2 Shares

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Bobloco: 3:35am On Dec 18
sad
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by AntiChristian: 5:13am On Dec 18
cool

Let them go to court!
After the courts others will never try it again!

4 Likes

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by emkz: 5:14am On Dec 18
During local government elections, there was massive rigging as PDP planted their loyalists as we heard.

Now, a new administration is trying to plant their own loyalists. The state house of assembly is like a drunk, swinging where political alcohol asks them to; trying to curry political favours from the governor.

When will the rigmarole end?

40 Likes

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Atuero(m): 5:20am On Dec 18
Drama upon drama in Edo state
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Thomthom(m): 5:20am On Dec 18
K
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Starhearts: 5:20am On Dec 18
PDP don finally relegated in EDO state

2 Likes

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by QuestLINKsPrpty: 5:22am On Dec 18
grin Hmmmm 🤔
Starhearts:
PDP don finally relegated in EDO state
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Thomthom(m): 5:22am On Dec 18
Abeg make opkebholo pay civil servants December salary. Before nothing go let buy for market again.

1 Like

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Validated: 5:25am On Dec 18
Interim governor Moday that cannot spell Tuesday, is Really Confusing himself.

6 Likes

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by rhinolove: 5:28am On Dec 18
The puppet governor has started taking his instructions

5 Likes

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Shedrack777: 5:33am On Dec 18
Make PDP shut down. Is it their party?
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Osiris12: 5:42am On Dec 18
Apc and illegality

1 Like 1 Share

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by sagitariusbaby(m): 5:44am On Dec 18
This shame of a INEC selected governor will be put to shame. The whole world is laughing at his ignorance. This action will not stand as it is completely illegal.

2 Likes

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Yankee101: 5:48am On Dec 18
It’s unconstitutional and development can’t happen that way with yes men installed for very short tenures

The local government should go to court. Hopin the court will have some sense and not collect bribes

2 Likes

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by idanone(m): 5:58am On Dec 18
The man is a taout believe me he has bought those assembly members
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by favour32(m): 6:01am On Dec 18
I don't understand.
It's confusing me.
If you know you know.

1 Like

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by lomaxx: 6:07am On Dec 18
What more do you expect from a banana republic?
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Osanoghodua1: 6:13am On Dec 18
Witch hunting and illiteracy. The governor should have just worked with them instead of fighting the Supreme court judgement. If found guilty of the contempt of court, he should be sacked and replaced with his deputy.

3 Likes

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by blackmantis: 6:34am On Dec 18
I trust the resilience of Edolites to overcome these trying times.
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by NastiLord: 6:50am On Dec 18
This is very unhealthy for our already tattered democracy. If this is allowed to stand then we'll see a trend by other governors.

This is a mockery to Supreme court judgement on Local government autonomy
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by PRINCESSFCFANSs: 6:57am On Dec 18
Let him leave the local government chairmen alone ,



but if they are not doing their job well ,


then he should take serious action on them,


Princess FaithChukwu
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by LivingSage: 7:01am On Dec 18
Check this thread about Cameron being the most winner of the CAF men of the year award

https://www.nairaland.com/8295806/caf-men-most-awards-nigeria#133342715
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Kukutente23: 7:20am On Dec 18
IfnobeGod20, TheElites19s

I hope you're reading now

Nowhere does the constitution give the House powers to suspend or sack LG chairs
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Desyno: 7:31am On Dec 18
If the federal government allows this Edo Assembly decision to stand, then they are not serious about local government financial autonomy.
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Kam2021: 7:37am On Dec 18
IfnobeGod have you seen the submission of lawyers over this?They should not only go to court but block the council on Monday. There's no place for Hlgas in the constitution.
Edo state PDP should fight this out.
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by ikdaddy01(m): 7:40am On Dec 18
It should be ignored ! That's the right word
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Habbeyy: 7:45am On Dec 18
Desyno:
If the federal government allows this Edo Assembly decision to stand, then they are not serious about local government financial autonomy.
undecided
Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by TheElites19s: 7:55am On Dec 18
Kukutente23:
IfnobeGod20, TheElites19s

I hope you're reading now

Nowhere does the constitution give the House powers to suspend or sack LG chairs
PDP is only talking from political angle, house is empowered by law to remove both Governor and chairman the only difference is that you need the cooperation of the state chief Justice to remove a state governor but that of local government it's just simply majority of the house and the cooperation of the honorable member representing the chairman constituency

They can only challenge the reasons for their suspension but not the legality of the house because the house is empowered by law

1 Like

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by Kukutente23: 7:56am On Dec 18
TheElites19s:
PDP is only talking from political angle, house is empowered by law to remove both Governor and chairman the only difference is that use need the cooperation of the state chief Justice to remove a state governor but of local government it's just simply majority of the house

They can only challenge the reasons for their suspension but not the legality of the house because the house is empowered by law
Did you read the body of the Op
Is Agbakoba SAN also PDP?
If you disagree, quote the section of the constitution that gives them the power to remove the LG chair

1 Like

Re: PDP Condemns Edo Assembly’s Suspension Of LG Chairmen by wunmi590(m): 8:09am On Dec 18


Politics aside, this is what happened ed when you have an illiterate piloting the affair of a state...

I also believe the house should know better, Nigeria can't be better with these set of people in political affair

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