Ex-Edo Assembly Speaker, Francis Okiye, Defends Governor Okpebholo Amidst Local Government Crisis

Amidst on-going turmoil in Edo State’s Local Government councils, where almost all the Chairmen have been removed over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Francis Okiye, has weighed in on the controversy.

Speaking with journalists in Benin City on Thursday, Okiye strongly defended Governor Monday Okpebholo’s actions, asserting that the governor’s steps are within the law, particularly in relation to the local government autonomy granted by the constitution.

Okiye, a seasoned politician and former Speaker, acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, noting that many of the local government cases are still pending in court. However, he quickly clarified that in his view, Governor Okpebholo had not acted unlawfully. “Yes, I hope it will be sub-judicial to start speaking on the local government matter now, because a lot of the issues are before the court. But just to defend the action or the role of the governor, I must be quick to say that the governor has not done anything that is against the law,” Okiye remarked.

Okiye emphasised the constitutional basis for the governor’s actions, which include requesting local governments to submit their activities for asset verification, a move that has raised concerns among some local government officials. He argued that the previous administration’s failure to properly account for local government finances had left the current administration with no choice but to ensure transparency.

“There’s only one government inside the State,” Okiye said. “Any unit or community within the State that tends to be radically in opposition to the government’s principles should not expect the governor to tolerate such. I do not think the governor was wrong to say, ‘Please submit your activities for assets and verification,’ because the previous government did not do that, and the government needs to know where it stands.”

Okiye also explained that local government autonomy, as granted by the constitution, particularly the financial autonomy, should not be misunderstood.

“When you grant autonomy, you don’t grant autonomy into a vacuum,” he stated. “The autonomy that was so granted, like everybody knew, was the fiscal, the financial autonomy.” He stressed that autonomy did not mean sovereign independence or immunity from scrutiny.

“The constitution has guaranteed the democratically elected government of the local government,” he continued.

“But the law that is currently governing local government administration today is still that of the State legislature. If the autonomy proclaimed by the Supreme Court invests sovereign authority to the local councils, the constitution must be amended to reflect such — which has not been done.”

Okiye pointed out the ambiguity surrounding the legal framework governing local government autonomy, particularly following the Supreme Court’s pronouncement. He noted that legal experts were still grappling with the implications of the ruling. “How do you trickle it down? How does the form work with that pronouncement? It’s still an issue,” he said.

Additionally, Okiye clarified that despite the autonomy granted, the State government still plays a significant role in overseeing local government operations. “The constitution still says that money should go to a common account between the state and local government,” he said.

“So, while there is autonomy, it is not absolute. It is like individual quasi-autonomy — certain areas where we have rights that are ours, but that doesn’t mean we can do whatever we like.”

In his view, the on-going court cases related to the local government crisis would ultimately strengthen the rule of law in the State. “I’m happy that these things are happening because at the end of the day, it will strengthen the law,” he said.

“Everybody is pushing their own cases to court. So when the court decides, then we’ll know where the next line of action lies.”

Beyond the local government crisis, Okiye shared his outlook for 2025, expressing hope that the suffering endured by Nigerians in recent years would begin to ease. He pointed to positive signs such as the stabilizing Naira, declining petrol prices, and the gradual revival of refineries as indicators that the country was on the right path.

“Things will start getting better from what has started happening now,” Okiye said.

“Nobody ever said the suffering was going to be forever. So, we have suffered enough, and we should begin to reap the benefits of those pains of the past. The Naira is coming up, petrol is going down, and more refineries are working.”

While acknowledging the on-going challenges, including corruption, Okiye expressed confidence that the federal government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would continue working towards improving the nation’s economic environment and attracting foreign investment.

“I also just believe that the president should deal with the area of corruption a little bit,” he remarked. “We don’t expect them to be able to eliminate it completely. But let the president show that he’s fighting it. Then the country will be better.”

At the State level, Okiye suggested patience as the current administration navigates its early days. “For the State government, it is just the beginning,” he said.

“We must be patient in analysing what the government is doing. Things will get better. Well, because they have to.”

Okiye concluded by reflecting on the challenges faced by the current government, noting that even President Tinubu’s cabinet formation had been delayed in its early days.

“If it wasn’t the time that is in a hurry to activate the system, by now you would have seen I’ve studied the books and nothing would have been done. So we believe things will get better because they have to.”

As the legal and political battles surrounding the local government councils continue to unfold, many will be watching closely to see how the courts rule on the matter and whether the tensions between local government autonomy and State oversight can be resolved.