Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, is facing mounting criticism from civic groups following his recent decision to suspend the 18 local government chairmen in the state. The controversial move, executed with the backing of the Edo State House of Assembly, has sparked widespread condemnation, with several civil society organizations accusing the governor and lawmakers of overstepping their constitutional bounds.
At the heart of the uproar is the apparent violation of a landmark Supreme Court judgment handed down on July 11, 2024, which granted autonomy to all local government areas across Nigeria, including the 18 councils in Edo. The judgment has been hailed as a historic step toward decentralizing power, but the actions of Okpebholo and the State House of Assembly have raised serious concerns about the state’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
The Civic Groups, united under the banner of the Concerned Civil Society Organizations in Edo State, have issued a stark warning to the governor and lawmakers to cease interfering in local government administration. Their statement, signed by notable leaders such as Comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel, president of the Network of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria (NOCSON), and Comrade Kola Edokpayi, leader of Talakawa’s Parliament (TP), is both a call for immediate action and a rallying cry for the people of Edo to defend their democratic rights.
The groups’ primary grievance lies in the fact that the governor’s decision to suspend the elected local government chairmen disregards the principles enshrined in the recent Supreme Court ruling, which clearly states that local governments in Nigeria are independent entities, accountable only to the people within their jurisdiction.
A Dangerous Precedent
The statement issued by the groups decried the actions of Okpebholo and the Edo State House of Assembly as “illegal,” “unpopular,” and a direct affront to the democratic principles of separation of powers. The groups argue that the governor has acted rashly and been poorly advised, and that such executive overreach undermines the very foundation of democratic governance.
“The chairmen of the local governments are not accountable to the governor. They are elected by the people, and their authority comes directly from the people in their constituencies. The suspension of these officials by the governor is not just an overreach; it is a blatant disregard for the will of the people,” said Comrade Emmanuel in the statement.
The civil society groups also emphasized that the local government chairmen, much like state governors, serve fixed terms and can only be held accountable through proper procedures set out in the law, particularly by the legislative arm of the local government councils. The groups strongly criticized the State House of Assembly for what they described as “rubber stamping” the governor’s actions instead of serving as a check on executive power.
Implications for Local Governance
Further complicating the situation is the potential economic fallout of the suspension. The groups pointed out that the Supreme Court ruling forbids states with improperly constituted local governments from accessing federal allocations from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC). The suspension of local government chairmen in Edo would mean that the councils could be disqualified from receiving their monthly share of federal funds, which would halt payments to local government workers, pensioners, and contractors.
“The suspension will lead to immediate financial hardship for the people of Edo,” said Comrade Edokpayi. “Local government workers will not be paid, pensioners will not receive their benefits, and vital development projects in rural areas will be stalled. This could lead to widespread economic stagnation and suffering.”
The civic groups also expressed concern about the broader consequences of the governor’s actions, which they argue could set a dangerous precedent for other state governments. They warned that if allowed to stand, such interference in local government affairs would not only erode the autonomy of the local councils but also weaken the entire democratic structure of Nigeria.
A Call for Presidential Intervention
In light of the gravity of the situation, the Concerned Civil Society Organizations have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene immediately. They believe that the federal government, particularly the president, has a responsibility to ensure that the Supreme Court ruling is respected and enforced across the country.
“The governor’s actions directly contradict the promises made by the current administration to uphold the rule of law and strengthen democratic institutions. We call on President Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the Edo state government returns to the path of justice and fairness,” the statement read.
The civic groups made it clear that failure to resolve the situation within the next 72 hours would leave them with no choice but to take further action. They have warned that the people of Edo will be forced to rise up and protect their democracy through legitimate means if the state government persists in its unlawful actions.