……calls on Gov. Okpebholo to shun political vampires seeking access to Council funds
Members of Concern Civil Society Organisations (Concern CSOs) in Edo State have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give effect to his new year day admonishing to State Governors to collaborate with the Local Government Councils to drive development at the grassroots level by allowing democracy to flourish at the third tier of government in accordancewiththeSupremeCourtjudgement on LG autonomy.
Addressing the press on Monday, 6 January, spokespersons for the CSOs, Emmanuel Ogbidi and Marxist Kola Edokpayi also called on Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State to resist those they alleged are urging him to dismantle the democrstic structures at the Local Government levels as according to them, they are vampires that want access to the Council funds.
The Concern CSOs frowned at the latest trends in LG Councils where the Councillors allegedly acting under duress from the Executive branch in Edo State are suddenly finding their chairmen and vice-chairmen guilty of misconduct.
While noting that the alleged illegality are being perpetrated under the cover of some security agencies, the group urged Governor Okpebholo to tread softly so that those pushing the LG illegal agenda don set him on collision course with President Tinubu.
“Mr President must muster the courage to speak directly to the governor of Edo state flying his party’s flag to deceist from actions capable of disrupting peace and progress in Edo state, as anarchy anywhere is a treat to peace and serenity everywhere.
“Recall the position of Mr. President Sen. Bola A Tinubu in his new year pally with the vice president and some governors, including your humble self. Mr. President urged you to collaborate with the local government to drive development at the grassroots level. He never ask the governors to topple nor overthrow the local government administration in their respective state, especially when they are perceived to be politically different on party basis. Your excellency, those that are pushing in this direction are determined to push you out of the President’s favour and push you into the negative side of history where the hate of the people and rejection is inevitable. Resist them. Resist the temptation of going like every other normal politician whose name today does not pride the state but brings shame. Your Excellency, do things differently and achieve a different result that is people oriented.
“Sequel to recent developments in some of the council secretariat where the local government legislative arms have suddenly found their chairmen and vice guilty of gross misconduct and suspending same speaks volume. The array of illegalities where suspension of elected council officials are suspend in a single sitting, where quorum are not form, legislative procedure not followed, Act perpetuated under the full cover of security personels suggests the fact that the Edo state government have not relent in this battle of toppling a constitutionally recognise third tier government in Nigeria. This amount to political coup di tat, in a democratic dispensation using the instrumentality of state to orchestrate violence overthrow of government to the satisfaction of currupt political elements cum vampires. Dear governor Monday Okpebholo. Look at it from all perspectives and directions. Sir, it is a treasonable offence. To those who have immunity today and those who are used, including the councillors without immunity. We may think Nigeria is not well enough to prove such a case, but when Nigeria will be normal in near future history will not forget the role we played, and neither does time run against the state.
“We urge governor Monday Okpebholo to take the lead in towing the path of peace and collaboration with the LG administrations, communicate in clear terms your five point agenda to them and seek them to key inn, to drive the vision of your administration. So long the ultimate goal remains to serve the good people of Edo state”.
While calling on the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun to direct his attention to Edo State and stem the of illegalities, the CSOs assured of their continued support to the Police to perform their constitutional responsibilities in the state.
“We therefore call on the Inspector General of police Kayode Egbetokun to refocus his attention on Edo state and stern the tides of illegalities as aided by the Nigeria police force whose constitutional responsibility is supposed to defend the rule of law and protect all tiers of government. The Commisioner of Police Edo State must wake up as a matter of urgency and cannot claim ignorance of the act of violence that have plague Edo state for the past weeks now, with no thugs arrested and investigated. While we will assure the police the support of Edo people to do their constitutional duty of maintaining law and other, we will not fail to resits the attempt of collusion, compromise by the force and other security agencies in undermining the third tier of government in Edo state. Do not allow your office or men to be dragged into these illegalities, Mr CP”.