By Kolawole Ojebisi
Despite the court ruling on the resolution of the Edo State House of Assembly to suspend 18 Local Government chairmen and their deputies, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, has said his principal acted within the ambit of the law.
Recall that the Edo State House Of Assembly had, on Wednesday, suspended the 18 LG chairmen in the state following a petition forwarded to it by the state governor, accusing the LG helmsmen of insubordination.
The decision was greeted with condemnation and harsh criticisms from many quarters.
The Attorney General of the Federal, Lateef Fagbemi, described the move as “an illegality”, adding that the governor lacks the prerogative to take such action.
Similarly, on Friday, the Federal High Court in Benin ordered the reinstatement of the suspended LG chairmen.
The court also restrained Okpebholo and the legislators from state assembly from taking further actions until February 17, 2025.
However, reacting to the development, Itua said Okpehbolo’s request to the House of Assembly to suspend the chairmen was done within his constitutional powers.
In a statement on Friday, Itua said the request was part of Okpehbolo’s oversight function as the governor.
He said, “The suspension of local government chairmen in Edo State has sparked an intense debate.
“From a legal perspective, the Governor’s request to the House of Assembly to suspend the chairmen was done within his constitutional powers.
“The House of Assembly had the right to turn down the request but opted to act on it. It is therefore unfair to blame the Governor. If the Governor had the power to suspend the council chairmen unilaterally, he would not have resorted to drafting a letter to the House of Assembly.”
Itua noted that the concept of autonomy was often misunderstood, noting that it does not mean that council chairmen can not be overseen.
He stated, “The House of Assembly has the powers to oversight the activities of the Governor, and similarly, the Governor has the right to exercise oversight over local government chairmen. The ongoing EFCC investigation of the 18 local government chairmen underscores the importance of accountability in governance.
“The issue is beyond the suspension of local government chairmen but about the deeper issues of true federalism and the relationship between the state and local governments. The current constitutional construct recognizes a two-tier federal design. It is clearly stipulated in the Constitution.
“There are local government laws of Edo State. By virtue of those laws, the Edo State House of Assembly is empowered to investigate local government councils. In carrying out its investigations, it suspended the chairmen.
“It is important to state clearly that a suspension is not a punishment. Members of the Edo State House of Assembly did not remove chairmen of the 18 local government councils from office. They were only suspended to pave the way for a thorough investigation.”
He added, “It is essential to note that the apex Court is both a court of law and a police court and while it has the power to make policy decisions, it cannot exercise this power when the Constitution is clear on a matter. In this case, the Constitution is clear on who has the power to superintend over local government matters.
“While the opposition party may be quick to pass a sweeping judgment, a more nuanced understanding of the issue will reveal that the actions by the Edo State House of Assembly and the Edo State Government are justifiable.
“Again, for the records, the chairmen were not removed from office but suspended due to suspicious activities, and the Governor has the right to exercise the power of oversight.”
