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Suspension of Edo LG chairmen a nullity – PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State has faulted the suspension of chairmen in the 18 local governments of the state by the House of Assembly.

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

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

According to him, 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.

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APC knocks PDP for allegedly politicising stampede tragedies

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for allegedly politicizing the recent deaths recorded during stampedes at palliatives distribution sites across the country.

Spokesman for APC, Felix Morka, in a statement described PDP’s stance as callous.

Morka said at a time of national grief over stampedes in Oyo, Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory that resulted in the death of citizens, the PDP seized the moment to engage in callous political chicanery.

The spokesman also stated that Nigerians have not forgotten the ill-fated 2014 recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS which led to the death of some desperate job seekers.

He said instead of genuinely commiserate with the victims and their families, the PDP chose to politicize the grief of the victims by blaming the stampedes on the All Progressives Congress APC-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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He stressed that the tragedies have united well-meaning Nigerians from all walks of life in sober reflection.

“The tragedies have brought together all well-meaning Nigerians in mourning and sober reflection on how the incidents might have been avoided through better planning and organization by all involved. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families.

“It is grossly indecent, insensitive and despicable for the PDP to exploit these tragic incidents in a senseless attack against the administration that has devoted itself to fixing the ruins of nearly two decades of PDP administration.

“Nigerians have not forgotten the tragic stampede at the ill-fated Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise in 2014 at the Abuja stadium, under the watch of the PDP administration, that left many desperate job seekers dead and scores injured. The PDP’s allegations only remind us of its sordid record of maladministration and utter incompetence,’” Morka added.

DAILY POST reports that stampedes occurred in Abuja, Anambra and Ibadan during distribution of food items, where several lives were lost.

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2027: APC vows to retake Adamawa as reconciliation committee meets state, LG executives

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has taken a major step towards resolving differences among members in Adamawa State.

A resolution committee assembled by the national headquarters of the party met with officials of the party in Adamawa State on Monday as a first interactive step to achieve harmony within the party.

The APC which produced the Adamawa State Governor in 2015, failed in its return bid in 2019 and failed again in 2023 to get back to power.

The party which lost narrowly in each case and blamed it on intraparty rancour, noticed the same sort of lingering rancour after the 2023 election, hence the decision to set up a reconciliation committee.

The committee began its meeting with party officials Monday afternoon telling the officials to see victory in 2027 as a reality that they must achieve.

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The committee which is under the leadership of Senator Mohammed Mana, who represented Adamawa North District in 2007-2011, has Isa Baba as Secretary and erstwhile senators Abubakar Halilu Girei, Bello Tukur and Binta Garba as well as Mrs Bridget Zidon, Martins Babale and Yusuf Yakub as members.

In his opening remarks during the meeting at the APC state secretariat in Yola, the chairman of the committee, Muhammed Mana, said the APC is a grassroots political party and mending fences will enable it to wax stronger and take power from the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He commended the National Security Adviser, NSA, Malam Nuhu Ribadu who is the party leader in the state for striving towards ensuring that the aggrieved members of the party are reconciled so that the party can regain its lost glory in the state.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the party in the state, Idris Shuaibu, expressed optimism that the reconciliation will enable the party win the 2027 governorship election.

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LG chairmen suspension: PDP warns of imminent crisis as Edo Govt counters AGF

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The brewing constitutional crisis in Edo State over the suspension of all the 18 local government area chairmen won’t end any time soon.

This is as officials of the state government have declared that the chairmen remain suspended.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has warned of an imminent break down of law and order should the state government refuse to back down.

The PDP spoke on Monday through its chieftain, Hon. Ose Anenih described the unfolding events as “a shocking rebellion against the rule of law and the President’s authority.”

The government’s stand comes despite the declaration of the suspension as illegal by both the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and a High Court sitting in Edo State.

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The AGF recently reaffirmed that only local councillors, not governors or state assemblies hold the constitutional authority to suspend or remove elected local government officials.

Similarly, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo High Court issued a mandatory injunction on Friday, declaring the suspension null and void and restraining the state government and other parties from meddling in local government operations until the substantive case is heard.

However, state officials have disregarded this ruling, signaling what appears a direct challenge to law officer of federation and disobedience to court order.

Barrister Andrew Emwanta, a member of the governor’s administrative panel, while appearing on national television, declared that “the Constitution has placed local governments under state control, and that remains the law.”

He added that, “Financial autonomy is about giving them access; but that does not mean state governments do not have control over how they use that money.

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“The Supreme Court cannot amend the constitution.”

In a similar vein, Kassim Afegbua, another panel member, also countered the AGF.

He had this to say when he appeared on Arise TV: “Lateef Fagbemi might be the law officer of the federation, but he does not represent the constitution of the country and he does not represent other laws made validly under the provisions of the constitution by the Edo House of Assembly.”

The governor’s spokesperson, Fred Itua, was also quoted to have said that “The decisions by the Edo State House of Assembly, vis-a-vis, the Governor of the State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, are entirely justified.

“It is essential to note that the apex Court is both a court of law and a policy court, and while it has the power to make policy decisions, it cannot exercise this power when the Constitution is clear on a matter.

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“The House of Assembly has the powers to oversight the activities of the Governor, and similarly, the Governor has the right to exercise oversight over local government chairmen.

“The current constitutional construct recognizes a two-tier federal design. It is clearly stipulated in the Constitution.”

Reacting to the government’s stand, Anenih described the unfolding events as “a shocking rebellion against the rule of law and the President’s authority.”

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