The Edo State House of Assembly has suspended the chairmen and vice chairmen of 18 local governments for two months.
This decision was made due to a petition by Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo, who accused the council leaders of insubordination and gross misconduct for refusing to submit their financial records for scrutiny.
The suspension was a result of a motion by Isibor Adeh, representing Esan Northeast 1 Constituency, and seconded by Donald Okogbe of Akoko-Edo 2 Constituency.
According to Adeh, Section 20 (b) of the Local Government Act empowers the Edo House of Assembly to suspend any errant local government chairman for two months while allegations of misconduct are being investigated.
The lawmakers directed the leaders of the legislative arms to take over the administration of the councils during the suspension period. The motion received the support of 14 lawmakers, while six opposed it, and three members abstained.
In a related development, the lawmakers screened and confirmed four nominees as chairman and members of the Edo State Sports Commission. The commission will be chaired by Amadin Enabule, with Godwin Bazuaye, Frank Illaboya, and Anthony Odianosen as members.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has condemned the suspension of the 18 local government chairmen, describing it as unconstitutional and a 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 as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Read also:Edo Governor-Elect Struggles to Pronounce Numerical Value of State’s Budget [Video]
Jerome Kalu
Jerome Kalu is currently the Senior Correspondent of PIJAlance in Lagos. He was previously the Campus Information Desk (CID) Editor.