Guilt and Desperation? Press Release Fails to Justify Governor’s Illegal Moves Against LGA Chairmen – By Darlington Okpebholo Ray

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The hurried press release issued by the Office of the Governor of Edo State, signed by Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua, reeks of guilt and jittery attempts to justify an unconstitutional action. The tone and timing of the statement only expose the governor’s desperation to exonerate himself from a scheme that has been widely criticized as a brazen assault on democratic norms and the rule of law. While it seeks to paint the Governor as a custodian of oversight, it inadvertently betrays the underlying political motives that have defined his actions against the state’s 18 Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen.

In his defence, the Governor insists that his request to the Edo State House of Assembly to suspend the chairmen falls within his constitutional powers. However, this argument collapses under scrutiny. The people of Edo State are not blind to the fact that the House of Assembly, under the compromised leadership of the Speaker, acted as a rubber stamp for the Governor’s directive. The speed and manner in which the suspension was carried out leave no doubt that it was orchestrated from the top to achieve predetermined outcomes. The Governor’s attempts to deflect blame to the Assembly are disingenuous at best and insulting to the intelligence of Edo people at worst.

The Governor’s press release also reveals a fundamental misunderstanding—or a deliberate misrepresentation—of the concept of local government autonomy. In a federal system of government, local government councils are autonomous entities whose leaders are elected directly by the people. The same way Governor Monday Okpebholo claims he was voted into office by the people of Edo State, the 18 LGA chairmen also hold their mandate from the electorate. Their tenure is constitutionally guaranteed to expire in 2026, and any attempt to truncate that mandate is an affront to democracy.

Suppose the Governor’s logic were to be extended. In that case, one might ask whether the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can demand that state governors submit statements of account or use the National Assembly to suspend or remove governors from office. The absurdity of such a scenario underscores the unconstitutional nature of the Governor’s actions. It is a dangerous precedent that threatens the foundational principles of Nigeria’s federalism and must be resisted by all well-meaning citizens.

The claim that the suspension is merely a tool for accountability and not a punishment is a poor attempt to sugarcoat the Governor’s real intentions. Stripping elected officials of their powers under the guise of oversight is effectively a removal, and it denies the people their right to be governed by those they chose at the ballot box. As Justice Chukwudifu Oputa famously said, “Justice is not a one-way traffic. It is not justice for the Governor to act arbitrarily while the elected chairmen are denied due process. Justice must balance the scale fairly for all parties involved.”

The Governor’s argument that the suspensions pave the way for investigations into alleged misconduct by the chairmen raises more questions than it answers. If there are credible allegations of wrongdoing, why not allow due process to take its course? Why resort to actions that undermine the democratic process? The rule of law demands that accusations be proven in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion or through executive fiat. Thomas Jefferson once noted, “The most sacred of the duties of government is to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens.”

Furthermore, the press release’s attempt to couch the Governor’s actions as a debate on true federalism is a red herring. True federalism respects the autonomy of all levels of government and ensures that no tier unduly interferes with the other. The Governor’s actions, far from promoting federalism, undermine it by subjugating the local government tier to the whims of the state executive. This is not federalism; it is feudalism disguised as governance.

The role of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly in this saga cannot be overlooked. Rather than standing as a bulwark against executive overreach, the Speaker has chosen to compromise his position and act as an accomplice in the Governor’s vendetta. His willingness to betray his party men in exchange for personal political survival is a stain on his legacy and a disservice to the principles of democracy. The Speaker must be reminded that his primary loyalty should be to the people and the constitution, not to the Governor.

This episode also exposes the vindictive nature of the Governor’s politics. The suspension of the chairmen is not about accountability; it is about consolidating power and silencing perceived opponents. The Governor’s desire to install caretaker committees loyal to him is a blatant attempt to hijack the councils and turn them into extensions of his political machinery. Such actions are antithetical to democracy and cannot stand.

History has shown that leaders who trample on democratic principles in the pursuit of power often find themselves on the wrong side of history. Governor Okpebholo would do well to heed the words of Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” No amount of press releases or propaganda can erase the fact that the Governor’s actions are fundamentally undemocratic and unjust.

The people of Edo State deserve better than a government that prioritizes personal vendettas over the collective good. They deserve leaders who will respect their choices at the ballot box and uphold the rule of law. The Governor’s actions have undermined the credibility of his administration and cast a shadow over Edo State’s democratic credentials.

The judiciary also has a critical role to play in this matter. It must rise to the occasion and defend the Constitution against executive overreach. The courts must affirm that no level of government is above the law and that the people’s will, expressed through free and fair elections, must be respected.

As this controversy unfolds, the people of Edo State must remain vigilant and steadfast in their defence of democracy. They must demand accountability from their local government chairmen, the Governor, and the House of Assembly. Democracy thrives when citizens hold their leaders to account and refuse to be silenced.

In conclusion, the Governor’s hurried press release has done more harm than good. It has exposed the flaws in his arguments, the contradictions in his actions, and the fragility of his justifications. The people of Edo State will not be deceived by such tactics. They understand that democracy is not just about winning elections; it is about respecting the people’s mandate and upholding the rule of law. Governor Okpebholo must remember this, for history will judge him not by his words but by his actions.

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