Local government administration in Edo State moved closer to normalcy today as several suspended chairmen resumed office in compliance with a State High Court ruling. Among those returning were the chairmen of Esan South East, Esan North East, and Etsako West local government areas, who received votes of confidence from their respective councillors.
The reinstatements follow a December injunction by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, which declared the suspensions illegal and ordered the immediate reinstatement of the affected chairmen. The order has been widely hailed as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
Barrister Anthony Ehilebo, Special Adviser on Media to PDP gubernatorial candidate Asue Ighodalo, described the decision as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s independence. “The judiciary has once again demonstrated its role as a safeguard for democracy,” Ehilebo said. “The illegal suspension of these chairmen violated their constitutional rights and undermined the autonomy of local governments.”
The reinstatements are seen as a political setback for Governor Monday Okpebholo, marking his first significant loss since assuming office. The suspensions had drawn widespread criticism, with many accusing the state government of leveraging unconstitutional powers to sideline opposition-aligned officials.
However, the State Government continues to double down on its position that the Chairmen and Vice-chairmen were lawfully suspended. “An injunction cannot restrain an action that has already been completed”, opined Kassim Afegbua on AIT’s television show Democracy Today. Afegbua is a member of the Edo State Investigative panel set up by Gov. Okpebholo to look into the allegations he brought against the chairmen.
Observers have also lauded the federal government for its neutral, pro-LGA autonomy stance. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi have been praised for refusing to endorse what many viewed as an anti-democratic move. Their non-interference has been interpreted as a commitment to upholding democratic norms across all levels of government.
For the reinstated chairmen, attention now turns to governance. Hon. Louis Imhandegbelo, chairman of Esan South East local government, expressed gratitude to the judiciary and his councilors for their support, stating: “We are grateful to the judiciary for standing firm on the side of justice. I particularly thank my fellow councillors for the unanimous vote of confidence. Our focus now is to deliver on the mandate given to us by the people.”
Analysts believe that the Supreme Court’s July 11th judgment, which upheld constitutional protections for local governments, will likely influence similar disputes in the future, reinforcing Nigeria’s democratic framework.
