The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Governor Monday Okpebholo to order over attempts at allegedly exterminating constitutional democracy in the state.
Briefing newsmen in Benin, Chairman, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Anthony Aziegbemi, also called on the Attorney General of the Federation, the judiciary, the National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, and all relevant security authorities to urgently intervene and restore order and the rule of law in Edo State.
Aziegbemi expressed worry over the alleged harassment of the 18 PDP Council Chairmen and accused Okpebholo of extermination of constitutional democracy, lawlessness, and blatant disregard for the rule of law.
He noted that the warning was necessary before events spiral out of control, which could lead to chaos and anarchy in the state and eventual breakdown of law and order.
Aziegbemi expressed dismay that despite the clear and binding judgement from the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, who upheld that the Edo State Government and the Edo State House of Assembly have no legal right to suspend or dissolve elected local government councils, the state government and their agents proceeded to restrain the chairmen from performing their duties.
“This they did without regard to the constitutional, legal, social, security, political and economic implications and consequences,” he said.
“The State Government also disregarded the advice of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu given through the Attorney General of the Federation on this matter. The Attorney General of the Federation was emphatic and insisted that elected local government council chairmen and their vice can not be dissolved, removed or suspended without following the due process of law, through the Councillors.
“However, Okpebholo and his handlers jettisoned the advisory, deploying thugs and non-state actors who have been moving from council to council with whips and dangerous weapons to illegally enforce the illegal suspension of the Local Government Chairmen despite the prevailing legal position on this issue and in utter breach of express court orders.”