The Edo State House of Assembly has suspended the chairmen and vice chairmen of 18 local government councils for two months, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The resolution, passed on Tuesday, came after a motion was moved by Isibor Adeh, the representative for Esan North East 1, and seconded by Donald Okogbe from Akoko-Edo 2. The House also mandated legislative leaders to take over the councils’ leadership during the suspension period.
The action followed a petition from Governor Monday Okpebholo, who accused the local government chairmen of insubordination for failing to submit their financial records to the state government. He described their refusal as gross misconduct and requested the House to investigate the matter.
During the debate, 14 members supported the motion to suspend the chairmen, while six opposed it and three members remained neutral. Speaker Blessing Agbebaku emphasized that all members should express their views before a decision was reached.
In response to the suspension, the Edo PDP condemned the action, arguing that the chairmen were not given a chance to defend themselves and labeling the suspension as unconstitutional. Tony Aziegbemi, the party’s Caretaker Chairman, stated that the Assembly’s decision disregards a recent ruling by the Chief Judge of Edo State and a Supreme Court decision affirming local government autonomy.
The PDP contended that Governor Okpebholo lacked the authority to demand financial statements from the local governments, especially given the Supreme Court’s ruling on their autonomy. They asserted that suspending democratically elected officials for alleged insubordination undermines the Constitution.
“This illegal suspension is a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law,” Aziegbemi stated, urging the Assembly to reverse its decision.
An anonymous local government chairman indicated that the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Edo State would announce its position on the matter in the coming days, confirming receipt of the suspension notice but refraining from commenting further without authorization.
