Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s suspension of local government chairmen has sparked a constitutional debate. Critics cite the Supreme Court's ruling on local government autonomy, while the state defends its oversight powers. Legal experts and stakeholders call for federal intervention, setting the stage for a potential constitutional showdown.
The Edo State Government, led by Governor Monday Okpebholo, has sparked controversy with its suspension of chairmen and vice-chairmen across the state’s 18 local government areas. The move, attributed to alleged insubordination and financial mismanagement, has been criticized by legal experts and political stakeholders as unconstitutional.
Governor Okpebholo's administration defends the decision, citing the state's constitutional oversight role over local councils. Barr. Andrew Emwanta, a panel member investigating the allegations, argued that while financial autonomy for local governments exists, state governments retain control under Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution. “The Supreme Court cannot amend the Constitution,” Emwanta emphasized, maintaining that the state acted within its authority.
However, the Supreme Court's July 11 judgment on local government autonomy appears to contradict this stance. The court explicitly barred state governments from suspending or interfering in democratically elected councils, deeming such actions unconstitutional. Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, has also condemned the suspensions as illegal, asserting that only a council’s legislative house can remove its officials.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has labeled the suspensions an abuse of power, urging the Edo State Government to reverse the action. Political analysts warn that the dispute could escalate into a constitutional crisis, especially given Governor Okpebholo’s pending tribunal case and President Bola Tinubu’s strong advocacy for local government autonomy.
As tensions rise, the judiciary and federal government’s responses are anticipated to shape the outcome of this significant legal and political standoff.
