The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee in Edo State, Anthony Aziegbemi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold statutory allocations to Edo State Councils until duly elected Chairmen and Vice Chairmen Are reinstated.
In a public statement addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding local government allocations in Edo State, Aziegbemi has challenged the recent comments made by the Attorney General of Edo State, Samson Osagie. The statement highlights concerns regarding the alleged violation of the law and urges the Federal Government to uphold constitutional integrity.
The statement reads, “We have read the statement credited to the Attorney General of Edo State, Samson Osagie, in which he attempted to refute our call on the Federal Government to follow the Constitution and apply the Supreme Court Judgment in the Local Government Autonomy case of AG, Federation V. AG Abia and 35 others, by withholding the allocation due to the Local Government Councils of Edo State which are being chaired by Senator Monday Okpebholo’s appointees rather than the duly elected Chairmen. Being in contempt of the Supreme Court – the Apex Court of the land, we also called on the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to commence contempt proceedings against the Edo State officials who are in disobedience of the Court Orders.”
“We are rather surprised that Samson Osagie, who was recently reinstated from his suspension as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, will refer to our demand as “unusual and uninformed.” Our position tallies with, and reechoes what the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN stated in December, 2024 that the purported suspension of the elected Local Government Chairmen in Edo is “illegal and unconstitutional,” and was unequivocal that it is in breach of the Supreme Court Judgment of July 11, 2024. Is the Attorney General of the Federation also uninformed?”
“There is unanimity amongst lawyers and Judges that this is the correct position of the law. Committal for disobedience of any Court Order is a follow up action for anyone in disobedience. We expect Osagie to know this as it is elementary. One shudders at the kind of legal advice being offered to the Governor if the Attorney General can make such legal gaffes in his public Statements.”
“His attempt to hoodwink the public by stating that the elected members are still in place will not fly. Such misinformation and alternative facts are known only to him and his ilk in their alternative universe. Pray, Osagie, a few posers for you: Who is the Chairman, substantive or acting, of Oredo Local Government?
Under what law, power, or authority were the Chairmen of the Councils suspended or removed?
What law gives the State Assembly power to suspend or remove Council Chairmen?
We note the reference to a so-called report by a kangaroo group of APC members and stalwarts constituted by Okpebholo to witch hunt the elected Local Government officials. Under what law was this band of aggrieved busybodies set up?”
“Is it not ironic that Samson Osagie, should refer to the Chairmen as “undergoing some inquisition arising from complaints of sleaze and corruption” when he had also been accused of “grave official financial infraction” and was only recently recalled following a secret investigation that was devoid of transparency or openness?
We urge the recently recalled Attorney General to advise the Governor in accordance with the law, which, unfortunately, he has not displayed deep knowledge and understanding of. If, as he has shown that he is not too conversant with it, he should take a cue from or consult the learned Attorney General of the Federation.”
“Also for the records and for the sake of posterity, we should point out that in extolling the virtues and benefits of the Citizens Mediation Centre and the Citizen Rights Department, Osagie failed to mention that both, along with many other great justice sector initiatives in Edo, are products of the Godwin Obaseki Administration, which also established the Citizens Rights and Dispute Resolution Agency, which the APC government has failed to constitute in the justice sector. Others in the justice sector which lie comatose include the Edo Correctional Service, Edo Migration Agency and the Corona System Law, waiting for immediate executive action by the Attorney General and his principal, the Governor. They both should pay heed to these and the general insecurity and near breakdown of law and order in many parts of the State, rather than in expending energy in their futile attempts to mislead and misinform the public.”
“It is essential to emphasize that the claims by Osagie that Okpebholo has not violated any laws related to local government structure in Edo State are misleading and inaccurate.
The suspension of elected Council Chairmen and Vice Chairmen by the Edo State House of Assembly is a clear violation of the Constitution and the principles of democracy. The PDP will not stand idly by while the APC-led government in Edo State continues to undermine the rule of law and disregard the rights of the people.”
“We reiterate our call for the Federal Government to withhold statutory allocations to Edo State Councils until the democratically elected council Chairmen and Vice Chairmen are reinstated. We also demand that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice takes immediate action to address this gross injustice.”
“The people of Edo State deserve better than a government that disregards the Constitution and disrespects the democratic process. We will continue to stand up for the rights of the people and fight against any attempt to undermine democracy in our state.”
“The Edo State government’s claim to be committed to strengthening justice administration rings hollow when viewed against the backdrop of its recent actions. The suspension of democratically elected Local Government Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, despite the Supreme Court’s clear ruling on local government autonomy, is a blatant disregard for the rule of law.”
“Rather than strengthening justice administration, the Edo State government’s actions demonstrate a disturbing disregard for the democratic process and the rule of law. The people of Edo State deserve better than a government that prioritizes political expediency over justice and democracy.”
“Rather than acknowledging and addressing these concerns, Osagie’s statement attempts to deflect criticism and shift the focus to an ongoing inquisition. This tactic does not absolve the governor of his responsibility to uphold the law and respect the democratic process.”
“The people of Edo State deserve transparency, accountability, and a commitment to democratic principles. We will continue to hold the Governor accountable for his actions and ensure that the rights of the people are protected.”
“The Edo State government’s claim that the democratically elected members and functionaries of local government councils are still in place, despite the suspension of chairmen and vice chairmen, is misleading. The suspension itself is a violation of the Constitution and the principles of democracy.”
“The government’s argument that the PDP is over-stretching the verdict of the Supreme Court is unfounded. The Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy is clear, and the Edo State government’s actions undermine this autonomy.
The PDP’s call for a stoppage of allocations to councils is not ironic, as the government claims.
In conclusion, the Edo State government’s claims are unfounded, and their actions have violated the Constitution and the principles of democracy. The PDP’s call for a stoppage of allocations to councils is a necessary step to ensure that the democratic process is respected. The Attorney General who should know this, should advice the State Government accordingly.”
Signed
Dr. Tony Aziegbemi,
Chairman,
Edo PDP Caretaker Commitee
