Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, along with the State House of Assembly, has sworn in acting chairmen for the 18 local government areas of the state, defying federal directives on local government autonomy.
Despite the federal government’s stance on local government autonomy, which mandates financial and administrative independence for councils, the Edo State government proceeded with the swearing-in of the legislative leaders of the councils as acting chairmen.
The event took place on Monday, amidst rising tensions in the state.
This move led to confusion within the councils, as the newly appointed acting chairmen, with the support of political thugs, prevented the elected chairmen from resuming their duties at the local council secretariats.
The appointed acting chairmen took control of the councils’ affairs, further escalating the situation.
The controversy stems from the recent suspension of the elected local government chairmen and their deputies by the Edo State House of Assembly.
The suspension followed a letter from the governor, accusing the chairmen and their deputies of insubordination.
In response, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s stance on the financial autonomy of local governments, declaring that governors and state legislatures do not have the authority to suspend or remove elected local government officials.
According to Fagbemi, only the local government councillors have the legal right to make such decisions.
However, the Edo State government defended the suspension, arguing that it was part of an earlier directive for the legislative leaders to step in and fill the leadership vacuum created by the suspension of the local council chairmen.
On the same day, it emerged that the legislative leaders of all 18 local councils were sworn in as acting chairmen, despite a court injunction issued by the Benin High Court, which had barred the Assembly from suspending the elected chairmen until the court determined their case.
The injunction, granted by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, had restrained the Assembly from carrying out the suspension.
The takeover by the acting chairmen occurred without interference, as it was reported that the suspended chairmen had failed to include the Assembly in their legal suit.
A government source confirmed that the state administration had earlier directed the chairmen to hand over control of their councils to the legislative leaders.
