THE Edo State government’s recent actions have raised concerns about a brewing constitutional crisis.
Everyday in Edo State, citizens are likely to wake up to witness a callous and sadistic reckless abuse of power of some sorts.
At the center of the controversy is the appointment of Dr. Osani Igbinigie as the Oredo Local Government Council Chairman, despite lacking constitutional backing.
In a statement signed by Hon. Dr. Lucky Eseigbe, the Hon. Commissioner of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, disclosed that the appointment takes effect from Tuesday, the 17th day of December 2024.
The appointment of an “appointee” is seen by constitutional actors as not only an “Outsider, but a Jester” in the constitutional relevance.
This appointment dominated public spaces even though it has no constitutional backing.
This move is seen as a blatant abuse of power and an attack on the autonomy of local governments.
The situation began when the state government attempted to impeach the elected LGA chairman, Dr. Tom Obaseki, but failed.
The 12 wards councillors, who demonstrated an act viewed by many as ultimate, refused to compromise their position even when nobody believed they could sustain their actions.
Frustrated in the heat of the moment, the state government, in response illegitimately appointed Igbinigie, an appointee of the local government commission, as the acting chairman.
This decision has been widely condemned by constitutional actors and the public.
The legal firm representing Dr. Tom Obaseki has described the appointment of Igbinigie as “superfluous, insidious, and insulting to the democratic tenets of the country’s solid democracy.”
They have called on the commissioner to withdraw the letter appointing Igbinigie, citing contempt of court.
Since the advent of the constitutional recklessness, all councillors not cooperating with them have been denied their legitimate salaries by Governor okpebholo and implemented by the head of local government administrators HOLGAS and Director of Finance and Accounts, DFAs.
It was learned that over 150 legitimately elected councillors, have been denied their remuneration, just as they have also denied elected chairmen, vice chairmen, supervisors, and special advisers and essential aides equivalent of commissioners at state level and secretary of LGs equivalent of Secretary to state government at state level.
Let it be on record that since December 2024, a total of over 300 legitimately elected and appointed officers have been starved with many wondering where they manufactured the constitutional powers from.
As the situation unfolds, many are left wondering who will save Edo State from this brewing constitutional crisis.
Will it be the judiciary, the people, or the state governor himself?
One thing is clear, the people of Edo State deserve better, and it’s time for decisive action to protect democracy and the rule of law.
