Protesters demand reinstatement of suspended Edo LG chairmen
Protesters under the Concerned Edo Youth on Monday called on the Edo State House of Assembly to make public the report of the committee set up to investigate the suspended local government chairmen and their deputies.
The Assembly had, on December 17, 2024, suspended all the 18 local government chairmen in the state, following the complaint of Governor Monday Okpebholo that the LG chairmen refused to submit their councils’ statement of accounts.
Though the LG chairmen and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party condemned the suspension and challenged it in court, the government has yet to recall them, as some of them have even been impeached.
On Monday, the protesters demanded the immediate lifting of the suspension on the council chairmen, saying their prolonged absence had led to the perpetuation of illegality, panic, and violence in the councils.
The coordinator of the group, Joseph Gbale, while addressing journalists in Benin, stated that with the suspension lasting over two months in violation of due process, the Speaker and the House of Assembly owed Edo people an explanation on the issue.
He added, “It is regrettable that both the Edo State Government and the House of Assembly have not mustered the courage to accept the truth and uphold the rule of law but have continued to perpetrate illegality, causing violence and panic in our various councils.
“The House must, within seven days, present to Edo people the outcome of the committee report that was set up to investigate the supposed case of insubordination against our council chairmen.
“The House must tell Edo people if the said committee invited the accused chairmen and their deputies to any of their sittings to also hear from them in the spirit of natural justice and fair hearing.
“The House must, as a matter of urgency, lift the unconstitutional suspension, which did not follow due process, as the said two-month period has long expired. It must also invalidate the purported and illegal impeachment carried out by disgruntled and self-serving individuals.”
The group urged Governor Okpebholo to take the lead in promoting peace, collaborate with the local government chairmen, and communicate his five-point agenda to drive the vision for the state.
