By Abigail Philip David
The Edo State House of Assembly has petitioned the state high court to confirm the suspension of the chairmen of all 18 local government areas. In a suit filed on January 28, 2025 (Case No. B/34/2025), the Assembly requested a judicial declaration affirming its power, under Section 20(b) of the Local Government Law, 2000, Edo State, to suspend local government chairmen and vice chairmen.
The controversial suspension, executed on December 17, 2024, targeted all LG chairmen and their deputies for alleged insubordination toward Governor Monday Okpebholo. The move came after the governor’s directive for the local governments to present their councils’ statement of accounts was met with resistance.
Opponents, including the embattled LG chairmen and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, have criticized the suspension. They argue that the governor’s demand for LG account statements is beyond his power, citing the Supreme Court’s recent declaration of local government autonomy. All suspended chairmen and their deputies have subsequently been impeached—a decision they are now contesting in court.
Represented by lawyer C. O. Edosa of C. O. Edosa and Co, the Assembly’s suit also challenges whether the suspension, and the impeachment process, infringes upon the democratic structure of the local government councils as outlined in Section 20(b) of the law. Additionally, the suit questions if the legislative arms of the councils were properly constituted in line with Sections 11(3) and 14, and whether these bodies retain the authority to manage local government affairs and funds in the absence of an executive chairman and vice chairman.
The Assembly is seeking judicial declarations that its actions have not compromised the democratic framework of local governments, that local government administration remains unaffected, and that it indeed possesses the legal authority to suspend local government chairmen and vice chairmen under the law. The claim also asserts that the leaders of the councils’ legislative arms are legitimately elected, per the provisions of Sections 11(3) and 14.
The court has instructed the defendants to appear in person or through legal representation within 42 days of service. Should the defendants fail to appear within the stipulated timeframe, the court may proceed with further orders as deemed appropriate.
