Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Edo Assembly suspends 18 LG chairmen for insubordination, gross misconduct

POSTED ON December 18, 2024 •   Politics      BY Benedicta Bassey
Edo State House of Assembly office

EDO STATE, Nigeria — The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a resolution suspending the chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils of the state for two months.

The Assembly asked the 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.

Recall that Governor Monday Okpebholo had 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 said, “I will implore that all members of the House speak on this matter before a decision is taken.”

Reacting to the development, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state condemned the suspension of the 18 local government chairman, adding that governor Okpebholo lacked the power to demand the financial records of the chairmen.

In a statement by the Edo PDP Caretaker Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, said the suspension is unconstitutional as the chairmen and their vice were not given the opportunity to defend themselves.

“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,” the statement read.

READ ALSO
CBN Governor, Finance Minister to Address Allegations Before House Committee
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, along with the Minister of Finance,...

READ ALSO
2027: Tinubu Hosts Key PDP Figures at Aso Rock
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu convened a meeting on Saturday evening with prominent members of the oppositio...

READ ALSO
To Achieve Economic Reform, Tinubu Must Embrace Governance Restructuring - Agbakoba
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 14, 2025 0

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has stated that Presiden...

READ ALSO
Controversy Erupts Over Omissions in Tinubu's Democracy Day Honors List
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 14, 2025 0

Reactions have continued to follow the Federal Government's decision to recognize prominent Nigerian...

READ ALSO
MKO Family Seeks Clarity on Alleged N45 Billion Debt from FG
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 14, 2025 0

The family of the late Chief Moshood Abiola has requested clarification on the alleged N45 billion d...

READ ALSO
National Assembly Urged to Enact Laws Protecting Human Rights as Civic Space Diminishes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 14, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - Amnesty International Nigeria has urged the National Assembly to urgently enact law...

READ ALSO
Opposition Leaders Warn of Erosion of Democracy in Nigeria on June 12
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 13, 2025 0

Notable opposition leaders in Nigeria, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party's p...

READ ALSO
Fashola, Jega Clash Over Immunity Clause at Democracy Day Lecture
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 12, 2025 0

The former Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, and the ex-chairman of the Independent National Ele...

OUR CHANNELS:

Air India Flight 171: Investigators Uncover Dual Engine Failure as Global Scrutiny Mounts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 16, 2025 0

AHMEDABAD, India— As the world continues to mourn the tragic loss of 290 lives aboard Air Indi...


New Evidence Deepens Air India 787 Crash Mystery: Dual Engine Failure Now in Focus
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 16, 2025 0

AHMEDABAD, India – As grief continues to hang heavy over the aftermath of Air India Flight 171...


UK Caution Citizens against Traveling To Israel, Iran amid Attacks
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

The United Kingdom (UK) has issued a travel advisory for its citizens, recommending that Britons ref...


LASG Launches E-Call-Up System to Regulate Truck Movements Starting June 16
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State Government has announced that the increasing traffic from heavy tru...


Tanker Drivers to Cease Operation on Monday amid E-call Charges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - Tanker drivers in Lagos State have announced their intention to cease loading petro...


LASG Clamps Down on Illegal Sewage Disposal in Okota
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources sealed a resi...


CBN Governor, Finance Minister to Address Allegations Before House Committee
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 16, 2025 0

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, along with the Minister of Finance,...


NDLEA Alerts Parents: Watch for Suspicious Snacks in Children's Bags
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 16, 2025 0

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a serious warning to parents, advising t...


2027: Tinubu Hosts Key PDP Figures at Aso Rock
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 16, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu convened a meeting on Saturday evening with prominent members of the oppositio...


Trump Proposes Visa Ban on Nigeria Amid Corruption Concerns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated plans to impose a general visa ban o...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu