Councilors in Oredo local government area have dared the Edo Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the state House of Assembly, as they pledged their loyalty and support to the embattled Council Chairman, Dr Tom Obaseki.
The 12 legislative members of the council who made their pledges while paying Christmas visit to Obaseki vowed to support the council’s commitment towards the people.
It will be recalled that the legislative members in solidarity, on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, joined Dr. Obaseki in sharing gleeful grooving, highlighting harmony, and unison.
Dr. Obaseki and Vice Chairman Hon. Patricia Oghogho Ero were democratically elected more than a year ago in a three-year tenure system.
However, the State House of Assembly through a complaint from Governor Monday Okpebholo suspended the 18 council chairmen in Edo for two months.
The development, no doubt has continued to generate reactions from members of the public, who berated the governor for the suspension order.
The Supreme Court judgment in Abuja recently, bolstered by a subsequent Edo State High Court ruling in Benin, has unequivocally validated the mandate of the 18 Council Chairmen.
These judgments categorically restrained the Executive and State Legislative arms from interfering in the affairs of the local government councils in the country, thereby safeguarding democratic principles and upholding the rule of law.
This legal affirmation fortifies the Chairmen’s positions, thwarting perceived attempts to undermine democratic processes.However, in a show of unwavering solidarity, 12 councillors, led by Rt Hon. Harrison Izekor, alongside the Vice Chairman, Hon. Patricia Oghogho Ero reaffirmed their loyalty to their Chairman.
Their actions defiled any alleged intimidation from the state executive and legislature as they praised Obaseki for his visionary leadership in the area whose compassionate governance according to them prioritized human well-being above all in the council area.
In a related development, Councillors of Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State have dismissed rumors of an impeachment plot against their chairman, Hon. Benedicta Attoh.
Led by the Leader of the House, Hon. Solomon Oghuma, the ten councilors declared that no amount of intimidation or enticement would persuade them to turn against their chairman, who they described as caring and compassionate. (Nigerian Tribune)