The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Accountant General of the Federation to immediately suspend all allocations to the Edo State Government through the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) due to the absence of democratically elected local government chairmen.
Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, made the appeal yesterday while addressing journalists on the suspension of elected local government officials in the state.
“In the absence of democratically elected local government administration in Edo State, we are urging the Accountant General of the Federation to halt all allocations to the state government through JAAC, as stipulated by the Supreme Court ruling,” Aziegbemi declared.
He explained that the call was necessary due to the state government’s alleged violation of Section 7(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees democratically elected local government councils.
Aziegbemi pointed to a recent Supreme Court judgement, delivered on 11 July, which affirmed that any state operating without legitimate, elected local government councils is in breach of the constitution. He also referenced a ruling by the Edo State High Court, which held that the state government lacked the authority to dissolve elected council chairmen whose tenure spans three years.
“Given these judgements, one would expect the state government, led by Senator Monday Okpebholo, to comply with the court’s decisions. Instead, the governor wrote to the House of Assembly, requesting the dissolution of the elected chairmen,” Aziegbemi said.
He criticised the state assembly’s handling of the matter, accusing it of suspending the chairmen rather than following due process. According to him, the suspended chairmen sought legal redress, and Justice Efe Ikpowomnba ruled in their favour.
Despite the court’s ruling, Aziegbemi alleged that the state government proceeded to remove the chairmen through unlawful means, using thugs to orchestrate their impeachment. He further claimed that some councillors had signed affidavits refuting any involvement in the impeachment process.
“We want to inform Nigerians that there is an unhealthy situation in Edo State. We are not opposed to impeachment, but it must follow due process and the law,” he stated.
The PDP chairman also warned financial institutions, specifically Keystone Bank and Premium Trust Bank, against opening accounts for what he described as “illegitimate” council chairmen appointed by the state government.
Aziegbemi called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and compel the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Edo State Government to respect the rule of law. He also urged the state assembly to reinstate the suspended council chairmen to revive economic activities in rural areas.
