…threatens to use legislative instruments to curtail situation
The House of Representatives Minority caucus has urged President Bola Tinubu to wade into the crackdown on elected local government chairmen and their voice in Edo State.
The Caucus in a statement jointly signed by Rep. O. K. Chinda
Minority Leader , Hon. Dr. Ali Isa J.C Minority Whip, Hon. Aliyu Madaki ,Deputy Minority Leader and Hon. George Ozodinobi
Deputy Minority Whip demand an immediate intervention by President Bola Tinubu.
The Caucus also called on the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebolo and agencies to wave the big sticks they’re carrying with caution to avert breakdown down of law and order in the state.
In the statement, it outrightly condemned growing actions by the Edo state Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and some of his appointees to forcefully remove from office constitutionally elected Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of LGAs.
The Caucus declared: “It is disheartening that the Edo State Government (EDSG) has embarked on illegal, and unconstitutional methods ranging from coercion, intimidation, lawlessness, and propaganda to eject these elected officers which is tantamount to extermination of constitutional democracy.
“These acts of brazen executive recklessness, gross abuse of office, and disrespect for Nigeria’s constitution, if left unchecked, can lead to breakdown of law and order in the state.
“It is highly preposterous, and shamelessly ludicrous that the EDSG; governed by a lawmaker, with senior appointees who have legal backgrounds have the effrontery to disrespect the court judgement delivered by the state Chief Judge; Justice Daniel Okungbowa which upheld that the state (and/or it’s agencies) have no legal right to suspend or dissolve elected government councils.
” Indeed, it is very disturbing that even when the EDSG knows that Justice Okungbowa in his ruling, cited, and aligned with the Supreme Court judgement delivered in July 2024, in a suit filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, and Minister of Justice; Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria which declared unconstitutional, null and void attempt by any state government or state House of Assembly to dissolve or suspend elected LGA Councils, the EDSG is bent on having its way.
The Caucus is deeply concerned that the flagrant disregard for judiciary, continued unlawful actions, and the deliberate disrespect for Nigeria’s constitution portends grievous threat to democracy.
” The serial harassment, coercion, intimidation, and forceful attacks on the LG Councils executives, party leaders, officials, members, and supporters across the state is a dangerous precedent that may snowball into constitutional crisis, and affect the peace, and unity of the state.
“Worried about the dangers of the illegal and unlawful actions of the EDSG, as well as the likely damage it may have on the image, and credibility of the present administration, the Caucus appeals to President Bola Tinubu to urgently call Governor Monday Okpebholo to order, and stop him from bringing our nation’s democracy to the gutters, and global disrepute. Mr. President needs to take immediate actions to rein in Governor Okpebholo, and take other measures that will inspire confidence in the minds of Edo state indigenes and residents; majority of who are terrified, apprehensive, and disillusioned about the growing tensions across the state.
“From various reports of the incidents, officers and men of the Nigerian Police, and other security agencies are allegedly being used by the EDSG, and other state actors to perpetrate these undemocratic actions, and unlawful shenanigans across the state.
“The Caucus charges the Inspector-General of Police; Kayode Egbetokun, and the leadership of other security agencies to intervene by giving marching others to their personnel to play their roles as unbiased enforcers of law and order.
Finally, as a responsible and responsive group, the Caucus reiterates that it may resort to legislative actions against further illegal and unconstitutional methods to forcefully remove elected LG Councils members from office by the EDSG, and rubbish democratic ethos.