Edo Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the suspension of chairmen in the 18 local governments (LG) of Edo by the House of Assembly.

A statement by Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, the state PDP Chairman on Tuesday in Benin, described the action as unconstitutional, null, and void.

He noted that the suspension disregarded the recent ruling of the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

Aziegbemi claimed that the suspension was a blatant violation of the Supreme Court’s decision, which affirmed the autonomy and independence of local governments, as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“How can a governor direct the State Assembly to suspend democratically elected chairmen of the 18 local councils for insubordination when these officials enjoy autonomy and independence as enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.

He noted that local council chairmen were not subordinates of the governor, the State Assembly, or any other arm of government.

He expressed concern over the complete disregard for the Constitution and the judiciary’s rulings.

“We are also aware that the Chairmen and their vice chairmen were not given the opportunity to defend themselves.

” They were suspended unheard, based on watery, trumped-up charges,” Aziegbemi said.

He stressed that such actions were not only illegal but also a direct assault on democracy and the rule of law.

“The Constitution remains supreme, and any attempt to undermine it must be resisted,” he added.

Aziegbemi said that the Speaker and the entire Edo House of Assembly had clearly exceeded their constitutional mandates by carrying out the illegal action.

He urged the Assembly to immediately reverse its decision in respect for the rule of law and the principles of democratic governance.

He emphasized that adherence to the Constitution was non-negotiable.

“We therefore direct the council chairmen and their vice chairmen to report to their councils tomorrow and carry on with their normal duties,” Aziegbemi said.

He also called on the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation to intervene, stating that the state government actions constituted a breach of the Constitution and a threat to security.(NAN)

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Ahead of the February 2025 local government election in Osun State, over 500 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ifedayo local government area.

The defectors were received into the PDP by the State Chairman, Sunday Bisi who noted that developments in the state have convinced a lot of APC members to leave the party for the PDP, insisting that many are still coming before the year’s end.

The state chairman said the forthcoming local government elections slated for February 2025 will end APC’s existence in Osun.

Assuring the mammoth crowd, Bisi appealed to all and sundry to continue supporting the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

He noted that what the current administration has done in the last two years surpasses that of the APC in the state.

Welcoming the new defectors, he assured them that in the PDP, there is nothing like discrimination.

“I want to assure those who joined our party today, in PDP, we don’t discriminate. Let’s join hands with those you met to move the party forward. There are lots of goodies on ground for all of us.

“Let me assure you all that come February 2025, PDP will coast to victory at the polls. Let us mobilise members and non-members for that election. We want to use the election to tell APC that Osun is not like Edo or Ondo. No rigging templates will work here. We are fully prepared.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Goke Folayan said part of what informed their decision to join the PDP is that Governor Adeleke has proven his critics wrong.

He said, “nobody could ever imagine that the Governor would perform and today, he is delivering on his promises to the people, making life more bearable for the people.”

He said, “It is sad that my former party, APC couldn’t remember Ifedayo local government for the whole twelve years they spent. They keep deceiving our people, making vague promises. 

“In just two years, the abandoned Ora-Igbomina water scheme is being reconstructed by Governor Adeleke.

“Our coming to the PDP is to join hands together with those we met to move our local government forward. By the grace of God, Kayode Atolagbe and all his councillors will win. This will send the remnant of APC members in Ifedayo into complete oblivion.”

The high point of the event was the handing over of PDP flags by the state chairman to the Chairmanship candidate, the vice chairmanship and other councilorship candidates.

The Abia Chapter of the INEC Staff Welfare Association (ISWA) has warned its members to uphold the integrity of the commission and guard against the culture of manipulating election results.

The Abia Chairman of the association, Mr Collins Eze, gave the advice at the group’s general meeting and end-of-year party in Umuahia.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of the ceremony, Eze said that the staff members were adequately aware of their enormous responsibility and should ensure free, fair and credible elections.

He said: “We have also told our colleagues that anywhere they find themselves they should make sure that they do the needful by ensuring transparency in the conduct of elections.

“We have always told them not to allow anybody to induce them with money to manipulate election results.

“I’m happy that they have been building the capacity of our colleagues on election processes.

“So, in the coming years, we won’t have any problem in ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections.”

He said that the end-of-year party was special as it afforded them the opportunity “to wine and dine together as well as thank God for sustaining them in 2024”.

Eze said that his leadership had introduced various means of assisting members in dire financial needs by providing platforms to solicit suppory for them.

He expressed gratitude to members for their support and cooperation, describing them as the “secret behind the success of this administration”.

He said that 34 of at least 350 staff members of the commission in the state retired from service in 2024.

According to him, the development has placed a huge financial burden on the association, in terms of their welfare and entitlement as members.

Report says that each member received a carton of tomato paste as Christmas gift from the association. (NAN)