Edo State in Chaos: 18 Council Chairmen Suspended! PDP Fumes!

Hold on to your hats, folks! Political drama is unfolding in Edo State as the State House of Assembly has dropped a bombshell: 18 local council chairmen and their deputies have been suspended! This move has sparked outrage and accusations of overreach. The opposition party, the PDP, is not taking this lying down. Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on:

Suspension Spree: 18 council chairmen and their deputies suspended for two months!
Power Grab?: Legislative leaders take over council leadership.
Gov’s Fury: Governor Okpebholo claims financial insubordination.
PDP’s Fury: PDP cries foul, claims it’s unconstitutional.
More Drama: State commissions dissolved!

The Shocking Suspension

The Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) has sent shockwaves through the state by suspending the chairmen and vice-chairmen of all 18 local councils for a whopping two months. This decision came swiftly after a motion was moved by Isibor Adeh and seconded by Donald Okogbe. But what led to this dramatic move?

Governor’s Allegations: Insubordination!

It appears Governor Monday Okpebholo is the driving force behind this suspension. He had earlier written a petition to the House, accusing the council heads of failing to submit their financial records. The Governor described their actions as insubordination and gross misconduct, prompting the House to investigate.

The PDP’s Fiery Response: Illegal!

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted with fury, denouncing the suspensions as illegal and unconstitutional. Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the Edo PDP Chairman, stated that this is a blatant disregard of a recent ruling by the Chief Judge of Edo State and the Supreme Court. These rulings affirmed the autonomy of local governments, making them not subordinate to the Governor or the State Assembly.

A Battle of Powers: Who’s in Charge?

The PDP argues that the chairmen, being democratically elected, are not under the beck and call of the governor or the Assembly. They decry the fact that the chairmen were suspended without a hearing, on what they deem “trumped-up charges”.

More Drama: Commissions Dissolved!

As if the suspension drama wasn’t enough, Governor Okpebholo has also dissolved all state commissions, including the State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC). This move is effective immediately, adding to the already heightened political tension. Other dissolved commissions include the Civil Service Commission, the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission, and more. All chairmen and members have been directed to hand over all government properties in their possession.

What Does This Mean?

The suspension and dissolution of the commissions raise questions about the political stability of Edo State. With accusations of illegality and overreach being thrown around, it’s clear that this situation is far from over. As this story develops, one thing is clear: Edo State’s political landscape is experiencing some major shifts.