Edo Governor Challenges Supreme Court, President Tinubu’s Local Government Autonomy Agenda
- Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Edo State House of Assembly have openly defied a Supreme Court ruling affirming the financial and administrative autonomy of local councils
- Edo officials, including Barrister Emwanta and Fred Itua, dismissed the Supreme Court’s decision and the authority of the Attorney General
- PDP chieftain Hon. Ose Anenih condemned the Edo government's defiance, calling it a rebellion against the rule of law and President Tinubu's local government autonomy policy
CHECK OUT: Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with LEGIT. Enroll Now!
The ongoing constitutional crisis in Edo State took a dramatic turn as Governor Monday Okpebholo and the state legislature openly defied a recent ruling by the Supreme Court.
The court had affirmed the financial and administrative independence of local councils, a victory for local government autonomy championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Source: Facebook
Governor Okpebholo's Defiance
The conflict erupted when Governor Okpebholo demanded that local government chairmen submit their financial reports directly to him, overstepping the Supreme Court's decision on financial autonomy.
When the chairmen refused, the governor pushed for their suspension, citing “gross misconduct” under Edo State law.
Despite a High Court ruling declaring the suspension unconstitutional, Okpebholo and the state assembly proceeded to suspend the 18 chairmen, challenging both the judiciary and President Tinubu's restructuring agenda.
State Officials Reject Supreme Court Ruling
Edo government officials, including Barrister Emwanta and Kassim Afegbua, dismissed the Supreme Court’s judgment and the authority of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Chief Lateef Fagbemi SAN.
Emwanta argued that local governments were still under state control, a stance that directly contradicted the ruling that guaranteed local councils’ autonomy.
He also suggested that the Supreme Court’s role was not to amend the Constitution but to interpret it within the scope of state laws.
Fred Itua, the governor’s spokesperson, backed this view, declaring that the state government’s actions were justified, stating,
“The decisions by the Edo State House of Assembly, vis-a-vis, the Governor of the State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, are entirely justified.”
The Edo government’s blatant disregard for the Supreme Court’s ruling and the AGF’s directives has raised concerns within the political community.
PDP chieftain Hon. Ose Anenih criticized the defiance as “a shocking rebellion against the rule of law and the President’s authority.”
He expressed confusion over an APC governor’s defiance of President Tinubu’s local government autonomy policy, warning that such actions set a dangerous precedent.
“This is an unexplainable affront not just to the rule of law but to the President’s leadership,” Anenih said, urging the federal government, security forces, and the judiciary to intervene before the situation worsens.
He cautioned that ignoring court orders and challenging federal policies could lead the state toward anarchy.
The ongoing standoff between the Edo State Government and federal authorities signals a deeper constitutional crisis, with the state’s defiance of both the judiciary and the presidency threatening the integrity of Nigeria’s legal framework.
Experts believe the Edo government's stance could undermine President Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen local governance and decentralize power.
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!
Source: Legit.ng
