A group, Edo Odion Movement has called on president Bola Tinubu to immediately correct and direct the attorney general of the federation and the inspector general of police to implement and enforce local government autonomy in Edo State in line with the constitutional provisions to forestall any constitutional crisis in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by Oseye Imudia PhD and made available to newsmen in Benin amid the governor and local government chairmen impasse.

Dr. Imudia, who cited the landmark supreme court judgement of July 2024 and several enrolled orders of Edo State High Court in Benin City on November 11, 2024, December 16th and December 20th, 2024 said it is disturbing that the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in the 18 local government councils in Edo State have reportedly denied salaries and emoluments to over 300 legitimately elected and appointed local government officials.

He alleged that over 150 councillors have also been affected by the deliberate political witch-hunt, allegedly orchestrated under the directives of Governor Monday Okpebholo

“Over 150 councillors have also been affected by this deliberate political witch-hunt, allegedly orchestrated under the directives of Governor Monday Okpebholo. HOLGAs and Directors of Finance and Administration (DFAs) have been used as tools to enforce this punitive measure, effectively crippling local governance.”

The statement reads in part, “In a disturbing turn of events, the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in the 18 local government councils in Edo State have reportedly denied salaries and emoluments to over 300 legitimately elected and appointed local government officials. This includes council chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, supervisors, special advisers, essential aides (equivalent to state commissioners), and Secretaries of Local Governments (equivalent to SSGs at the state level).

“Reports indicate that this financial blockade is a direct consequence of the officials’ refusal to succumb to pressures demanding the illegal removal of elected council chairmen and their deputies. Those who resisted have been left without their rightful earnings since December 2024, while their counterparts who complied with the demands have continued to receive their salaries.

“The situation has drawn sharp criticism from stakeholders denouncing the selective witch-hunt. The arbitrary denial of salaries and emoluments to elected and appointed officials sets a dangerous precedent. Using finance as a tool for political coercion undermines democracy, weakens local governance, and erodes public trust in the political system. It is imperative that justice and due process prevail to protect the autonomy of local governments and uphold the rule of law in Edo State.

“This is a constitution crisis taken too far and it’s time for the president of the federal republic of Nigeria to immediately correct and direct the attorney general of the federation and the inspector general of police to implement and enforce local government autonomy in Edo State in line with the constitutional provisions, the landmark supreme court judgement of July 2024 and several enrolled orders of Edo State High Court in Benin City on November 11, 2024, December 16th and December 20th, 2024,” he said.

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