Meanwhile, the embattled council officials have criticized the assembly for suspending them, labeling the action as invalid.
Newman Ugiagbe, the chairperson of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Edo, stated that the assembly’s actions violated a court ruling, asserting that the officials would remain in office until September 2026.
Mr. Ugiagbe, who also chairs the Orhiomwon local council, explained that the chairpersons had taken the matter to court, where Justice Daniel Okungbowa ruled that both the governor and the assembly lacked the authority to suspend them.
He said they reminded Speaker Blessing Agbebaku of a court order that prohibited the government from interfering with their constitutional duties or council assets.
Additionally, Mr. Ugiagbe revealed that the court had barred the defendants from interfering with council administration or obstructing the chairpersons in carrying out their lawful duties.
He reiterated that their tenure, as mandated by law, runs from September 2023 to September 2026, and they remain committed to fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities. He stressed that no authority could prevent them from serving their councils.
The chairpersons also called on security agencies to safeguard council assets and uphold law and order across the state’s 18 local government areas.
However, the Attorney General of Edo, Samson Osagie, stated that the assembly has not changed the democratic structures of the local governments.
He said, “What’s clear is that the House has exercised its powers in the constitution according to local government administration.
“The chairmen better be advised that there is only one Chief Security Officer in the state, that is the governor,” Mr Osagie said.
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