Abuse of power: Call Okpebholo to order, Edo PDP urges Tinubu 

The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, called on President Bola Tinubu to call Governor Monday Okpebholo to order over attempts at exterminating constitutional democracy in the state, considering the governor’s alleged disregard for the rule of law.

Briefing newsmen in Benin, over the state of Edo, Chairman of Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Anthony Aziegbemi, also called on the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the judiciary, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Inspector General of Police (IGP) and all relevant security authorities to urgently intervene and restore order and the rule of law in Edo State.

Aziegbemi, who expressed worry over the way and manner the governor had continued to harass the 18 PDP Council Chairmen after their unlawful suspension by the State House of Assembly, following the directive of the governor, accused Okpebholo of extermination of constitutional democracy, lawlessness, and blatant disregard for the rule of law.

Azeigbemi noted that this has become necessary before events go out of control, which could lead to chaos and anarchy in the state and eventual breakdown of law and order.

He said: “We are deeply worried that if urgent and decisive action is not taken to address this lawlessness and restore order within the system, we may witness an escalation that could result in crisis, anarchy and chaos in the state.

“As you are aware, recent events have brought to light the unlawful suspension of duly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local councils in Edo purportedly by the State House of Assembly, following a directive of the governor.

“The illegal suspension carried out on December 17, 2024, was executed under the pretence of ‘gross misconduct and insubordination’, without fair hearing and under the misplaced and mistaken belief that the chairmen and their vice chairmen are subordinate to the governor, who premised his directive on Section 10 (1) of the Local Government Law of Edo State, which has since been voided by the judgment of the Chief Judge of Edo State.

“It should be noted that no complaint was made against the vice chairmen and the House of Assembly still proceeded to suspend them. This they claimed to do under Section 20 of the same law, which did not give the Assembly any power to suspend any local official.”