By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN—EDO State House of Assembly, has condemned the House of Representatives’ motion directing the Accountant General of the Federation not to release Local Government Allocation to states, where there is no democratically elected administration at the local councils.

The condemnation followed a motion by Mr. Philip Shaibu, the House leader, who said that it was not the responsibility of the House of Representatives to make laws for the regulation of local government areas in Edo State.

He called on the people of Edo State to reject the motion, which was supported by some lawmakers from Edo State in the House of Representatives, saying that the motion was not in favour of the people of Edo State.

He explained that this was not the first time local government areas were being dissolved and transition committees set up, adding that there was already a Supreme Court judgment on withholding of local government funds between Lagos State and the Federal Government, where the Supreme Court ruled against the action of the Federal Government.

Other lawmakers who contributed to the motion were Hons. Aliu peter, Amadasun Uwamose, Etinosa Ogbeiwi, Oghuma Johnson, Ohonbamu Paul.

They contended that the governor followed due process in dissolving and reconstituting the local government since there was due consultation with the state House of Assembly and called on the House of Representatives to stop treading on illegality.

They stated that the 2002 law which the governor relied upon in dissolving the local government was made by the State House of Assembly under the leadership of Hon. Friday Itulah who is now a House of Rep Member.

Paul Ohonbamu said it was an art of irresponsibility for the House of Representatives to order the stoppage of the Local government funds to Edo state maintaining the House will not sit down and watch a violation of law as being exhibited by the House of Representatives.

He disclosed that the tenure of the local government administration in Edo State had expired and it was the responsibility of the Edo state House of Assembly to make sure that there is no vacuum created in the local government administration in the state.