Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decried alleged efforts by the State’s House of Assembly to work against Court ruling nullifying the suspension of 18 council area chairmen.
The party alleged that the State Government was blackmailing leaders of the councils’ legislative houses to work against the reinstated chairmen from performing their Constitutional duties.
This was disclosed by the Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Osa Nehikhare, in a statement, after an emergency meeting on Monday president by the Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi.
In the meeting which had local government council chairmen and leaders of the Legislative arms of all the councils in attendance, Aziegbemi said, was to address the ongoing challenges the council chairmen have been facing since the court’s ruling.
The Aziegbemi urged the council chairmen to return to their respective council secretariats and continue to serve the constituents who elected them.
The party advised councils’ legislative leaders to remain vigilant against the deceptive offers presented to them.
“The law is explicit regarding their responsibilities, and they must resist any attempts to 2. compromise their integrity. The state government has faced significant backlash and condemnation from the judiciary and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) regarding its illegal actions, yet continues to deflect blame onto the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA),” Aziegbemi said.
Edo PDP threatened to take legal action against individuals, including Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) and Treasurers, who, without the authority of the council chairmen, tamper with council resources.
“In light of the recent denials and the shifting of responsibility to the EDHA, the party, alongside the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), will be sending a letter to the EDHA demanding the immediate implementation of existing court judgments related to council suspensions.
“The party strongly condemns the ongoing intimidation, manipulation, and blackmail tactics employed by the APC-led state government, aimed at coercing council leaders into endorsing illegal actions that would allow for the looting of council funds,” he stated.
He further called the local government leaders to stand united in their resolve to protect the interests of their constituents and uphold the rule of law.