Suspension of Edo LG Chairmen illegal, unconstitutional— Presidency
The Nigerian Presidency has declared the suspension of 18 Local Government Chairmen and Vice Chairmen in Edo State as illegal and unconstitutional.
According to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the suspension is a clear violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the recent Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy
Fagbemi emphasized that the removal from office or suspension of any elected LG official is the prerogative of Councilors in the said Local Government Area (LGA). He stated that the Governor has no right to remove any local government chairman, citing the July 11 judgment of the Supreme Court that granted autonomy to the 774 LGAs in the country.
The Edo State House of Assembly had suspended the chairmen and vice chairmen of the LGAs for two months over alleged gross misconduct and insubordination. However, the affected officials have rejected their suspension, vowing to remain in office until the expiration of their tenure in 2026.
The development has sparked widespread condemnation, with many criticizing the Governor’s action as a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the Constitution. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also condemned the suspension, describing it as a “brazen assault on the Constitution and the rule of law”
Legal experts have weighed in on the issue, with some arguing that the suspension is a clear violation of the Constitution and the Supreme Court judgment. Olisa Agbakoba, a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, emphasized that the Governor and the State House of Assembly have no power to remove or suspend elected local government officials
The situation remains tense, with many calling for the Governor to respect the autonomy of local governments and the rule of law. The development has also raised concerns about the implications for democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.
