By Newsmata
Amid allegation of its complicity in the act, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has endorsed the impeachment of some suspended local government councils chairmen by their councillors.
Newsmata recalls that five local government council chairmen have so far been impeached by their Legislative arms. They are: Eghe Ogbemudia of Egor; Kenneth Adodo of Uhunmwode; Newman Ugiagbe of Orhionmwon; Aminu Okodo-Kadiri of Owan East, and Paul Iyoha of Esan Central. They were all impeached along with the vice chairmen.
But unwavering in its support of the actions taken by the House of Assembly in suspending the 18 council bosses and their deputies, the APC, in a statement on Friday by its chairman, Jarret Tenebe, said the party also supported steps taken by councillors across the various local government councils in the state who had decided to save their people by impeaching the allegedly “corrupt and inept” suspended chairmen.
Taking exception at the allegations of “extermination of constitutional democracy” and “lawlessness” levelled against the state government by the caretaker committee of the PDP, which it described as “unfounded and libelous”, the APC said the opposition should instead engage in constructive dialogue and seek solutions that promote the well-being of all Edo State citizens.
Taunting the PDP, Tenebe said in the statement titled ‘Factional PDP, A Security Threat to Governance In Edo State ‘, with the suspension of the chairmen of the 18 local government councils, “the ongoing governorship tribunal case is wobbling because their source of funding, which was hitherto from the local government councils has been stopped”.
Describing the PDP’s approach as a desperate attempt to discredit Governor Okpebholo and the State Government rather than a genuine concern for the welfare of the people, Tenebe dismissed the party as “a dying party” that must not be regarded.
According to him, “Under the watch of the PDP in Edo State, the biggest financial heist in history was committed by Godwin Obaseki. The narcissistic PDP was deaf and dumb then. The same lawless Obaseki, a PDP member, refused to swear in 14 out of 24 members of the House of Assembly for four years.
“The PDP government in Edo State removed and suspended chairmen of local governments. The same PDP government in Edo went rogue when it held sway and abused the rights of Edo people like never before.
“Houses and properties of members of the opposition were demolished despite valid court orders. Obaseki’s reign in Edo State was a sad reminder of the days of colonial slave traders, who blatantly abused the rights of the people.
“The same delusional factional PDP was deaf and blind to all the constitutional breaches and atrocities committed by the Obaseki-led regime. May Obaseki and the PDP not happen to Edo State again.
“The myopic leaders of the PDP in the state are still deluded that Edo people can be taken for a ride. With the suspension of
“For the records, the suspension of local government chairmen and vice chairmen by the House of Assembly was done to maintain order and stability in the state”.
Defending the suspension of the chairmen, Tenebe said “Governor Okpebholo has a responsibility to ensure that all the three tiers of government operate within the ambit of the law in the state. It is crucial to recognise that the government has a duty to protect the interests of the citizens and maintain public order.
“The Edo State Laws, as documented by the Ministry of Justice, provide a framework for the governance of the state. While the factional narcissistic PDP Caretaker Committee claims that the Governor’s actions are in breach of court injunctions and the Constitution, it is essential to consider the complexities of the situation”.
Insisting that Governor Monday Okpebholo has a clear mandate, Tenebe posited that no distractions or blackmail can stop him.
The APC chairman said “While we concede that as an opposition party, the factional chapter of the PDP can critique the activities of the Government, we will however, not allow the depleted narcissistic party to twist facts and wrongly accuse Governor Okpebholo”.
Tenebe counseled that the government, opposition parties, and civil society organisations should work together to address any perceived grievances and ensure that the democratic process is upheld.