Eighteen suspended local government chairmen in Edo State have rejected their suspension by the State House of Assembly, asserting that the move is unconstitutional and defies court orders.
The chairmen, under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), addressed the issue during a press briefing in Benin City on Wednesday. Newman Ugiagbe, chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area and Edo State ALGON leader, emphasized that the suspension violated multiple judicial rulings, describing it as “null, void, and of no effect.”
The Edo State House of Assembly had on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, suspended the council chairmen and their deputies for alleged insubordination and gross misconduct, based on a petition from Governor Monday Okpebholo. The governor accused the chairmen of failing to submit financial account statements to the State Asset Verification Committee.
Ugiagbe countered these allegations, highlighting a court order that prohibits the state government and Assembly from interfering with the tenure of the council chairmen, who were elected in September 2023 and sworn into office the same month. He also referenced a Supreme Court ruling that restricts state governments from dissolving or meddling in local government administration.
“The suspension is a violation of court orders and a blatant disregard for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Ugiagbe stated. He added that ALGON had served a reminder to the Assembly Speaker on the court’s interim order, which bars any actions that interfere with the chairmen’s functions or access to funds allocated from the Federation Account.
Ugiagbe called on security agencies to safeguard local government assets and deploy personnel to council secretariats to ensure the smooth functioning of their administration. “This action will uphold the Constitution and protect the mandates given to us by the people,” he noted.
The suspended chairmen pledged to continue performing their duties as elected leaders, dismissing the Assembly’s suspension as an overreach without legal foundation.
The development marks a significant standoff between the state government and local council leaders, with implications for governance and local administration in Edo State.
