The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Edo State has directed all its 18 suspended local government council chairmen to return to their offices and continue to serve their constituents who elected them and reaffirmed their commitment to local governance. The PDP also said it would institute legal action against any individuals, including Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) and Treasurers, who would, without the authority of the council chairmen, tamper with council resources. These were part of the four-point resolutions of the former ruling party at an emergency meeting held at its state secretariat in Benin presided over by its caretaker committee chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, according to a statement on Monday by Chris Osa Nehikhare, the publicity secretary of the party. Recall that the state House of Assembly, which suspended the councils’ chairmen Tuesday December 17, 2024, had directed leaders of the legislative houses to take over leadership of the councils for the two-month period. The meeting, which had in attendance the embattled local government chairmen and leaders of the Legislative arms of all the councils, was convened to address the ongoing challenges facing their administrations, especially the state government’s alleged interference with the councils’ funds. Cautioning Legislative leaders against manipulation, the PDP advised them “to remain vigilant against the deceptive offers presented to them”, stressing that “The law is explicit regarding their responsibilities, and they must resist any attempts to compromise their integrity”, more so when the state government had faced significant backlash and condemnation from the judiciary and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) “regarding its illegal actions yet continues to deflect blame onto the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA)”. It was also resolved that “In light of the recent denials and the shifting of responsibility to the EDHA, the party, alongside the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), will be sending a letter to the EDHA demanding the immediate implementation of existing court judgements related to council suspensions”. Condemning in strong terms “the ongoing intimidation, manipulation, and blackmail tactics employed by the APC-led state government aimed at coercing council leaders into endorsing illegal actions that would allow for the looting of council funds”, the PDP appealed to local government leaders to stand united in their resolve to protect the interests of their constituents and uphold the rule of law.
