Gov Okpebholo
The 18 Local Government Chairmen in Edo State, on Wednesday in Benin declared their suspension by the State House of Assembly as null and void and vowed to see out their three year tenure.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had instigated their removal through a letter to the Assembly over the chairmen’s refusal to submit financial records to the Asset Verification Committee as directed.
The governor described their actions as gross misconduct and insubordination, urging the House to address the matter.
On Wednesday, December 17, the Edo State House of Assembly suspended the chairmen and their deputies over alleged insubordination and misconduct.
In reaction to their suspension, the chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Edo State chapter and Chairman, Orhiomwon LG, Newman Ugiagbe, said the Assembly acted against a court ruling, adding that they would remain in office till September 2026 because they were elected.
Ugiagbe noted that the Chairmen had taken the matter to court and Justice Daniel Okungbowa ruled that the governor and Assembly lacked powers to suspend them.
He said they reminded the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, of a court order restraining the government from interfering with their constitutional functions or council assets.
He said that their tenure runs from September 2023 to September 2026.
He affirmed their commitment to fulfilling their constitutional roles, maintaining that no authority could prevent them from serving their councils.
The chairmen urged security agencies to protect council assets and ensure law and order in the 18 local government areas of the state.
Reacting, the State Attorney General, Dr Samson Osagie, said local governments democratic structures had not been altered by the Assembly but added that the Assembly merely exercised it’s powers on a pending matter.
” What’s clear is that the House has exercised its powers in the constitution in pursuant to local government administration, he said and added that
“The Chairmen better be advised that there is only one Chief Security Officer in the state, that is the governor.”
