The federal government, through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has declared that governors lack the constitutional authority to suspend or remove local government chairmen from office.

Fagbemi made the declaration while addressing journalists on Wednesday.

His comments were in response to questions about the recent actions of the Edo governor, Monday Okpebholo, who suspended local government chairmen in the state.

The AGF stated that the autonomy of local governments as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, noted that any actions infringing on their independence are unconstitutional.

“Governors do not have the right to suspend or remove duly elected local government chairmen,” Fagbemi said.

“Such actions are in violation of the principles of democracy and the rule of law,” he added.