The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State has condemned the suspension of 18 local government chairmen and their deputies by the state House of Assembly.
The party described the suspension as unconstitutional and illegal, citing the recent ruling of the Chief Judge of Edo State and the Supreme Court’s decision affirming local governments’ autonomy.
In a statement, the party’s caretaker chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, emphasized that the chairmen and deputies were not given the opportunity to defend themselves and were suspended on trumped-up charges. The PDP urged the Speaker and the Assembly to reverse their decision, respecting the rule of law and democratic governance.
The statement reads, “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 Senator Monday Okpebholo.
“We want to clearly state that this action is unconstitutional, null, and void.
“The illegal suspension is a blatant disregard of 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.
“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 suspension of the chairmen and vice chairmen followed 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.
The executives were suspended for two months.