We Are Ready To Work With You For The Betterment Of Edo State – Triumphant Edo LGC Chairmen Tell Okpebholo’s
By Simeon OSAJIE
The triumphant Edo State Government Council Chairmen in the state under the umbrella of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, (ALGON) on Friday made friendly overtures to Governor Monday Okpebholo, stating that they were ready to work with him for the betterment of the state.
Their statement was cheered up by their reinstatement by a Benin High Court and the pronouncement by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister, Lateef Fagbemi, faulting their suspension from office by the Edo State House of Assembly.
They however insisted that the issue of gross misconduct and insubordination for which they were suspended did not arise at all because, according to them, “we are intelligent people, and we understand that both the local government and the state need to partner to ensure that the state moves forward”. They said despite this ugly development, we were still not at loggerheads with the governor.
Vice Chairman of ALGON, Tajudeen Alade, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, commended the AGF on his position declaring their suspension illegal and called for collaboration between the three tiers of government for a better Nigeria.
The chairmen’s reaction followed a significant victory at the Edo State High Court 11, presided over by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, who restrained the state government, and other parties listed, either by “themselves their privies, servants, agents, howsoever named or described, from in any way giving effect to, or acting on the resolution suspending the Claimants’ elected Chairman/Vice Chairmen purportedly made by the Edo State House of Assembly on the 16/12/2024 or any other day, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in this suit filed on the 12/12/2024.” Justice Efe Ikponmwonba thereafter adjourned the case to January 17, 2025.
Reacting to the developments, Alade said the decision of the court and the comments by Fagbemi were to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
According to him, “ALGON Edo State has issued a statement, the national body has also issued a statement, but most importantly is the statement that emanated from the Attorney General of the Federation. It goes to show that we are prepared for the journey ahead to rescue Nigeria from the doldrums.
“We are very much appreciative of this current development, and no doubt, that will spur us as local government chairmen in Edo State to continue to hit the ground running in order to deliver the required dividends of democracy to our people irrespective of the economic crunch which we know will get out if we work together.”
The chairmen said they were ready to work with Governor Okpebholo for the betterment of the state saying, “he remains our father, and of course, we will continue to give him the due respect.
“The idea of misconduct or insubordination does not arise at all because we are intelligent people and we understand that both the local government and the state need to partner to ensure that the state moves forward, and by the special grace of God, we will continue to toe that path to ensure that both the state and the local governments are not at loggerheads. And I can assure that despite this ugly development, we are still not at loggerheads.
“And for the House of Assembly, I am sure they will have a rethink. And the court has been doing the needful not to favour us but to strengthen democracy. And the fourth estate of the realm has also been doing a great job.”
