The Edo State House of Assembly has urged the state high court to affirm the suspension of the chairmen of the 18 local government areas of the state.
In a suit marked B/34/2025 and filed on January 28, 2025, the House seeks “A declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Section 20 (b) of the Local government Law, 2000, Edo State, the 1st claimant (Edo State House of Assembly) has the power to suspend a chairman and/or vice chairman of a local government council in Edo State.”
The House had on December 17, 2024, suspended all the LG chairmen and their deputies for what it described as insubordination to Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The legislative action followed a petition to the House by Okpebholo, who complained that the LG chairmen shunned his directive that they should provide their councils’ statement of accounts.
The embattled LG chairmen and the opposition People’s Democratic Party, however, faulted the suspension of the LG chairmen, contending that the governor lacks the power to demand LG account statements in view of the LG autonomy recently declared by the Supreme Court.
All the chairmen and their deputies have since been impeached, which the chairman and their deputies are also challenging in court
But in the suit filed through its lawyer, C. O. Edosa of C. O. Edosa and Co, the Assembly wants the court to determine whether the decision to suspend the chairmen and their deputies violated Section 20(b) by undermining the democratic structure of local government councils in the state.
Another issue raised is whether, under Sections 11(3) and 14 of the law, the legislative arms of the councils were properly constituted by democratically elected members.
Additionally, the claimants seek to clarify whether, in the absence of a chairman and vice chairman, the legislative arms of the councils have the authority to manage and control the affairs and funds of the local government councils.
The claimants request declarations affirming that the Assembly’s actions have not dismantled the democratic structure of the councils and that local government administration remains intact.
They also seek a declaration confirming that, under Section 20(b) of the Local Government Law, 2000, the Assembly has the legal authority to suspend local government chairmen and vice chairmen.
Furthermore, the claimants argue that, based on Sections 11(3) and 14 of the law, the leaders of the legislative arms of the local government councils are duly elected officials.
The defendants have been instructed to enter an appearance, either personally or through legal representation, within 42 days of being served.
“If the defendants fail to enter an appearance within the specified time and at the designated place, appropriate orders may be issued, and proceedings may continue as the Judge deems just and expedient,” the summons states.
