The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the suspension of the 18 local government chairmen and their deputies by the state House of Assembly over alleged insubordination on Tuesday.
In a statement by the state Caretaker chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, the party said that the chairmen and their deputies were not allowed to defend themselves, describing the suspension as unconstitutional.
The statement reads, “The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party condemns in the strongest terms the illegal suspension of the Chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State by the Edo State House of Assembly, following the directive of Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo.
“We want to clearly state that this action is unconstitutional, null, and void.”
The party also described the suspension as a blatant disregard for the recent ruling of the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
The PDP added, “The illegal suspension is a blatant disregard of the recent ruling of the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, and the Supreme Court’s decision, in a suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, which affirmed the autonomy and independence of local governments as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
