FG: Assembly Cannot Suspend Elected Edo LG Chairmen

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has stated that the Edo State House of Assembly does not have the constitutional authority to suspend elected local government chairmen and vice chairmen.

Fagbemi made this assertion during an event on Thursday. He clarified that while he did not have full details of the political issue in Edo State, it was illegal for the state’s House of Assembly to take such an action.

Fagbemi emphasized, “Although the facts of the case are still unclear, it is unlawful for a state’s House of Assembly to suspend duly elected Local Government leaders.” He further explained that only the legislature at the local government level holds the power to make such decisions.

The assertion of Fagbemi follows the decision of the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday to suspend the chairmen and vice chairmen of the state’s 18 local government areas for two months. The Assembly instructed the legislative arms of the local councils to take over the leadership temporarily.

In response, Andrew Emwanta, the Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Legal Matters, defended the suspension, stating that it was in line with the Constitution. He also pointed out that former governors Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki had similarly suspended local council chairmen during their terms in office.

The argument of Fagbemi against the suspension of the Edo Local Government chairmen also follows the assertion of autonomy of the local governments by the Supreme Court.

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