The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned of an imminent breakdown of law and order following the stance of the state government, which has refused to back down on its suspension of 18 local government area chairmen despite a directive from the Federal Government to reinstate them.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the crisis began when Governor Monday Okpebholo issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that local council chairmen submit their financial statements directly to him. The chairmen, however, considered the order an overreach into their financial autonomy, as defined by the Supreme Court.
Following their refusal, the governor petitioned the state assembly to suspend the chairmen, citing “gross misconduct” under Section 10(1) of the Edo State Local Government Law (2000).
However, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, declared the suspension illegal, reaffirming that only local councillors, not governors or state assemblies, have the constitutional authority to suspend or remove elected local government officials.
Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo High Court also issued a mandatory injunction declaring the suspension null and void and restraining the state government and other parties from meddling in local government operations until the substantive case is heard.
Despite these directives, state officials have openly affirmed the government’s decision.
Barrister Andrew Emwanta, a member of the governor’s administrative panel, argued that the Constitution places local governments under state control.
He said, “Financial autonomy is about giving them access; but that does not mean state governments do not have control over how they use that money.
“The Supreme Court cannot amend the constitution.”
Kassim Afegbua, another panel member, also countered the AGF.
Appearing on Arise TV, Afegbua said, “Lateef Fagbemi might be the law officer of the federation, but he does not represent the constitution of the country and he does not represent other laws made validly under the provisions of the constitution by the Edo House of Assembly.”
The governor’s spokesperson, Fred Itua, also defended the government’s actions, stating that the decisions by the Edo State House of Assembly and that of the Governor of the State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, are entirely justified.
However, the PDP has condemned the suspension, describing it as “a shocking rebellion against the rule of law and the President’s authority.”
Hon. Ose Anenih, a PDP chieftain, warned that the Edo State Government’s actions could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
“The Edo State Government is setting a dangerous precedent,” Anenih said. “When elected officials decide which court orders to obey and which to ignore, we edge closer to anarchy.”
Anenih appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General, and the security forces to intervene in the crisis before it spirals out of control.
Anenih’s statement reads, “As a Niger Delta man, I commend President Tinubu’s bold strides toward restructuring, particularly his efforts to strengthen local government autonomy.
“It is bewildering to see an APC governor—one of his own—leading this insurrection against both the Judiciary and the Presidency.
“How can a state openly defy a Supreme Court ruling, dismiss the Attorney General’s directives, and undermine the President’s flagship policy?
“This is an unexplainable affront not just to the rule of law but to the President’s leadership.
“The Governor’s dance-steps or should I say missteps indicate that there is clearly a drummer hiding in the bushes, with an agenda different from the President’s.”
