By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
The fate of 18 local government council chairmen in Edo State hangs in the balance due to a complex web of politics and controversy.
The chairmen, all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were suspended by the state House of Assembly, allegedly due to gross misconduct and insubordination. However, a court order has restrained the governor and the House of Assembly from taking action against the chairmen.
Despite this, several chairmen have been unable to access their offices and some have even defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP has accused the APC-led government of “killing democracy” in the state and deploying strategies to prevent the chairmen from resuming office.
The state chairman of the PDP, Dr. Tony Azeigbemi, expressed concerns that the situation could escalate into crisis and chaos if not addressed. He said, “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.”
The Acting Chairman of the Edo State APC, Jarrett Tenebe, replied by denying the allegations. He stated that the suspension of the chairmen was done to maintain order and stability in the state. He said, “Governor Okpebholo has a responsibility to ensure that all the three tiers of government operate within the ambit of the law in the State.”
The situation has caused mixed reactions, but many agree that it will ultimately lead to clarity on the autonomy of local governments and the influence of governors, as per the Supreme Court judgment and the 1999 constitution as amended.
