Edo PDP Accuses Okpebholo  Of  Exterminating Constitutional Democracy …use of political thugs to enforce illegal suspension of council chairmen, vice 

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By Towncriernews 

The Edo State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday accused 

 Edo State Government, led by Governor Monday Okpebholo, of  perpetrating lawlessness and disregarding the rule of law, this was as the party accused him of using political thugs to enforce the illegal suspension of the 18 local government council chairmen and their vice.

The party in a press statement signed by the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi , which was made available to journalist in Benin City , said 

the state government’s actions pose a clear and imminent danger to the breakdown of law and order in Edo State.

The party  condemned  the controversial  suspension of the duly elected Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the 18 Local Government Councils in Edo State, carried out by the State House of Assembly on December 17, 2024.

The suspension was allegedly made under the  pretense of ‘gross misconduct and insubordination’, without fair hearing.

He said.

“We are compelled to call this press conference today to update the general public and all other stakeholders on the ongoing extermination of constitutional democracy, lawlessness, and blatant disregard for the rule of law by the Edo State Government under the leadership of Monday Okpebholo.

“We are deeply worried that if urgent and decisive action is not taken to address this lawlessness and restore order within the system, we may witness an escalation that could result in crisis, anarchy, and chaos and which presents a clear and imminent danger of a breakdown of law and order in Edo State.

“As you are aware, recent events have brought to light the unlawful suspension of the duly elected Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the 18 Local Government Councils in Edo State purportedly by the State House of Assembly, following the directive of the Governor Monday Okpebholo. The illegal suspension, carried out on December 17, 2024, was executed under the false pretense of ‘gross misconduct and insubordination’, without  fair hearing and under the misplaced and mistaken belief that the Chairmen and their Vice Chairmen are subordinate to the Governor, who premised his directive on Section 10(1) of the Local Government Law of Edo State which has since been voided by the judgment of the Chief Judge of Edo State . 

It should be noted that no complaint was made against the Vice Chairmen and the House of Assembly still proceeded to suspend them and this they claimed to do under Section 20.of the same law, which did not give the Assembly any power to suspend any Local Government Official!!! “

Aziegbemi emphasized that despite the clear and binding judgment, from the Supreme  Court, pronouncement from the Attorney  General of the Federation among others.

The State Government and their agents have , ” continued to enforce their individual interests, ignoring constitutional, legal, social, security, political, and economic implications of their actions.”

“The State Government also disregarded the advice of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu given through the Attorney General of the Federation on this matter. The Attorney General of the Federation was emphatic and insisted that elected local government council chairmen and their vice cannot be dissolved, removed or suspended without following the due process of law, through the Councillors. However, Okpebholo and his handlers jettisoned the advisory, deploying thugs and non-state actors who have been moving from council to council with whips and dangerous weapons to illegally enforce the illegal suspension of the Local Government Chairmen despite the prevailing legal position on this issue and in utter breach of express court orders.

“Most troubling however was that the council chairmen had approached the court for redress on the matter and Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court 2, Benin City issued a mandatory injunction, restraining the state government, the Governor and other parties from meddling in local government affairs and operations until the substantive case has been heard and settled.

“Sadly, in total disregard of and disobedience to the prevailing orders and laws, the state government has continued in its acts of crass lawlessness , contemptuous disregard of judicial orders , abuse of processes and misuse of executive power , which dangerously portends the extermination of constitutional democracy in the State. We are aware that the Governor seeks to enforce and has indeed commenced his devious and illegal agenda with the help of vile and violent thugs and other non state actors.” He said.

Aziegbemi warned that if urgent action is not taken, the situation could escalate into crisis, anarchy, and chaos, ultimately leading to the breakdown of law and order in the state.

When contacted, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor (CPS), Fred Itua, said “he who  alleges must prove.”