Edo Assembly Suspends All 18 LG Chairmen, Vice Chairmen Over Misconduct Allegations

The Edo State House of Assembly has suspended the chairmen and vice chairmen of all 18 local government areas for two months over alleged gross misconduct and insubordination. The council leaders have been directed to hand over administration to the legislative heads of their respective local governments.

The decision followed a petition from Governor Sen. Monday Okpebholo, accusing the officials of defying his directive to submit financial reports covering September 2022 to date. The council leaders resisted, citing financial autonomy as upheld by the Supreme Court.

During a heated plenary on Tuesday, Speaker Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku presided over the adoption of the suspension motion, moved by Hon. Isibor Adeh (Esan North East I) and seconded by Hon. Donald Okogbe (Akoko-Edo II). Fourteen lawmakers supported the motion, six opposed it, and three abstained.

The assembly acted under Section 20(b) of the Local Government Act, which allows for the suspension of officials for two months pending investigation. However, Majority Leader Hon. Charity Aigueobarhugia urged the house to first allow the council leaders to defend themselves before the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has rejected the suspension, citing a state high court ruling that repealed the law used for the action and a Supreme Court decision affirming local government autonomy.

Similarly, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State condemned the assembly’s decision as unconstitutional. State Chairman Tony Aziegbemi described the suspension as null and void, calling on the council leaders to resume their duties. Aziegbemi referenced a restraining order secured by the officials and urged the Federal Government to enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling by withholding funds to the state’s local governments until the suspended officials are reinstated.

The suspension has sparked legal and political controversy, with analysts closely watching how the dispute will evolve in the coming weeks.