…Says Action Illegal, Breach Of Supreme Court Ruling
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, has denounced and condemned the brazen acts of impeachments of Chairmen of Councils in Edo State, insisting that the action falls short of due process and so does not hold any water.
Amidst violent eruptions perpetrated across Councils by government agents, particularly in Owan East, Uhunmwode, Esan West, Esan Central and Orhionmwon LGAs in the last few days, Council Chairmen have been advised to maintain peace in their various localities.
Edo ALGON Chairman, who also doubles as Orhionmwon Local Government Chairman, Newman Ugiagbe, while addressing journalists at a press conferences, denounced the gale of impeachments that has now been described as illegal, holding no water in the eyes over the law.
Ugiagbe was reported to have been impeached by two of the 12 Councilors in Orhionmwon, a process that has been described as a kindergarten exercise only for media show; later yesterday.
However, 10 of the 12 Councilors visited the Orhionmwon Chairman to pledge their loyalty, describing his purported impeachment as a hoax.
In Uhunmwode, it was a thug of war as gunshots rented the air for hours, staff of the Uhunmwode Council sustained various degrees of injuries, some of whom are still receiving medical attention at the hospitals.
“How can you impeach a Chairman with one Councilor, to me they are just playing, however, same thing is happening in other Councils, whatever they are doing is illegal and is contempt of Court, and I hope they understand”, Ugiagbe noted.
He condemned the violent dimension the situation has taken, passionately calling on the Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, to intervene on the impasse.
“As ALGON Chairman, I am calling on His Excellency to please protect lives and property”, noting that as Governor, it is his responsibility to protect the lives and property of Edo people.
Political developments in Edo seems to have taken a violent turn following reports of attempts by the Okpebholo-led government to violently seize Councils in Edo, using legislative leaders across the Councils to humilate the Chairmen, despite the Supreme Court judgement granting autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.
Observers across the Country have spoken out on the matter, calling on the Edo State Governor to provide equitable leadership across the Councils; many have said Okpebholo should not be seen massaging lawlessness, and should act within the provisions of the law, particularly as it concerns local government autonomy already granted by the Supreme Court.
About The Author
