Suspended Edo LG chairmen reject suspension

The 18 embattled local government chairmen in Edo State have dismissed their suspension by the state House of Assembly, declaring it illegal and insisting they will continue to perform their constitutional duties.

Their suspension on December 17 followed a letter from Governor Monday Okpebholo to the Assembly, accusing the chairmen of insubordination and gross misconduct for failing to submit their councils’ financial records to the Asset Verification Committee. Acting on the governor’s request, the Assembly suspended the chairmen and their deputies.

However, Newman Ugiagbe, chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government and leader of the state’s chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), described the suspension as contemptuous of a court order. He stated that a prior ruling by the Edo State High Court, presided over by Justice Daniel Okungbowa, prohibits the governor and the House of Assembly from suspending or dissolving elected local government chairmen.

“We have a valid court order that restrains the governor, the House of Assembly, and their agents from suspending us or interfering with our duties. We remain the executive chairmen of our respective councils and will serve until our tenure ends in September 2026,” Ugiagbe said.

He added that a formal reminder of the court order was served to the Speaker of the House on December 17, the same day the suspension was announced. Additionally, he referenced another interim order from the Edo State High Court, which restricts the government from interfering with their rights to manage council assets and funds allocated from the Federation Account.

“We were elected on September 3, 2023, and sworn in the following day. The people of our councils entrusted us with this mandate, and we will not abdicate our responsibilities,” Ugiagbe affirmed.

The ALGON chairman also called on security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to protect council assets and maintain order.

As the standoff continues, the chairmen have vowed to remain in office and discharge their duties, accusing the state government of attempting to undermine the autonomy of local councils.