By joshua 
Reinstate Duly Elected Edo LG Council Executives, PDP Tells Okpebholo
……. hails Edo Ex-Dep. Speaker Maria Edeko
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The Chairman, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi on Wednesday called on the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo to rescind the onslaught on duly elected Local Government executives, including Chairmen and their vice, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) immediately.
Azeigbemi made the appeal in a statement in Benin, where he noted that it is imperative to do so as it is a critical issue affecting grassroots governance in Edo State, particularly in light of recent court rulings reinstating duly elected Local Government Chairmen and their vice across the State.
The Edo PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman said, “When the current Edo State Government, led by Senator Monday Okpebholo, began its unprecedented onslaught against duly elected Local Government executives, including Chairmen and their vice, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) immediately raised the alarm about the illegality of their actions and their flagrant disregard for the rule of law.
Azeigbemi however persisted in their resort to unconstitutionality, abusing and making a nonsense of the democratic process, which clearly outlines the structure of governance across the federal, state, and local levels, as well as the principle of separation of powers.
He stressed that, High Court has begun to deliver rulings and judgments in favour of the duly elected Local Government Chairmen. The first of these was secured by the Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government, Hon. Tajudeen Alade, who has been reinstated by the court.
In the declarative ruling, the presiding judge, Justice B. A. Okoh, directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to provide the elected council chairman with the needed security to immediately resume office.”he said.
He added that while the court found that there was indeed non-compliance with the procedure stipulated under Section 19 of the Edo State local government law, and that the duly elected Council chairman was not given fair hearing before his removal and thereby set aside the removal and ordered his immediate restoration and return to office.”
Azeigbemi also pointed out that a second judgment was delivered in favour of the elected Chairman and Vice Chairman of Etsako West Local Government, Hon. Zibiri Marvelous and Hon. Benji Ojietu.
He noted that in the ruling, Justice O.M. Obayuwana also declared the impeachment proceedings against Marvelous and Ojietu null and void, stating that the process did not comply with Section 19 of the Edo State Local Government Law 2000 (as amended in 2002).
According to him, The Court granted all declaratory reliefs 1 – 8 as claimed by the Claimants, including nullifying the impeachment of the claimants as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council and nullifying the appointment and swearing in of the 1st defendant as acting Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council.
Adding that, The Court also ordered the immediate reinstatement of the Claimants to their offices as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council of Edo State together with the rights, privileges, paraphernalia and perquisites of the said offices as well as a perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants.
“Justice O.M. Obayuwana also ordered the 8 Defendant, the Inspector General of Police to provide protection to the Claimants for the peaceful resumption and discharge of their duties and function as bestowed in their offices as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council respectively until the end of their three year tenure in office in September 2026.”
The PDP commended the judiciary for its fairness and unwavering commitment to upholding the Constitution, saying “we call on the Edo State Government to immediately end its continued violation of the Constitution and allow the duly elected
Meanwhile, the party commended Hon. Maria Edeko for her exemplary display of integrity and courage, stepping down from her position as Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.
“It is gladdening to note that time integrity is fast becoming a rarity in our political space, Maria Edeko has stood tall and distinguished herself as a beacon of honor. The PDP, her constituents and indeed all Edo people are proud of her.
“History will be kind to her. She will be remembered as one of the few who put principle, integrity and service before self interest. ” He stated