The Edo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed a resolution suspending the chairmen and vice-chairmen of all 18 local government councils in the state for two months. The suspension, which took place amid heightened tensions, followed a motion moved by Isibor Adeh, the representative for Esan North East 1, and seconded by Donald Okogbe of Akoko-Edo 2. The House also mandated the legislative leaders of each council to assume temporary leadership during the suspension period.
The move comes after a petition from Governor Monday Okpebholo, who accused the council chairmen of insubordination for failing to submit financial records of their respective local governments to the state government. In his letter, the governor characterized the refusal as “gross misconduct” and called for immediate action by the state legislature.
Governor Okpebholo’s petition to the House outlined the ongoing defiance of the local government chairmen in submitting crucial financial documents, which are required for state oversight. Describing the refusal as an act of insubordination, the governor urged the Assembly to intervene. In the ensuing debate on the matter, 14 lawmakers supported the suspension of the local government leaders, six opposed the motion, and three others abstained.
Speaker Blessing Agbebaku, in her address, insisted that all members of the House speak on the motion before any decision could be made. After a series of speeches, she directed the Clerk, Yahaya Omogbai, to count the votes in favor of, against, and neutral on the matter, resulting in the suspension resolution passing.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State immediately condemned the suspension, labeling the action as unconstitutional and illegal. The party’s caretaker chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, issued a statement expressing strong disapproval of the Assembly’s decision, claiming that the affected chairmen and vice-chairmen were not given a fair hearing. Aziegbemi argued that the suspension was a violation of the Constitution of Nigeria, particularly the principle of local government autonomy.
“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 Monday Okpebholo,” Aziegbemi said. He further claimed that the suspension was in “blatant disregard for the recent ruling of the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, and the Supreme Court’s decision, which affirmed the autonomy and independence of local governments.”
The PDP contended that the Governor, in directing the suspension, overstepped his constitutional authority, arguing that local government chairmen are autonomous as affirmed by the Supreme Court. The party criticized the lack of a formal hearing for the chairmen before their suspension and accused the Assembly of acting on “watery, trumped-up charges.”
“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?” Aziegbemi asked, further asserting that the suspension was “illegal” and “a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law.”
The suspension has raised serious questions about the relationship between local governments and the state government, as well as the ongoing struggle for local government autonomy in Nigeria. Local government chairmen across the country are often caught between local state governments, with their powers frequently tested by political pressures. The suspension has also stirred fears about the erosion of democratic processes, as local government leaders, who are elected by the people, are seen by critics as being unfairly targeted for not complying with executive demands.
