……Urges Gov. Okpebholo to shun political vampires seeking access to Council funds

By Ikhili Ebalu

BENIN CITY – 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.

Addressing journalists in Benin,
spokespersons for the CSOs, Emmanuel Ogbidi, and Marxist Kola Edokpayi, called on Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State to resist those urging him to dismantle the democratic structures at the Local Government levels as, according to them, they are vampires that want access to the Council funds.

The concerned CSOs frowned at the latest trends in LG Councils where the Councillors are allegedly acting under duress from the Edo State government by being made to impeach their chairmen and vice-chairmen.

The group urged Governor Okpebholo to tread softly so that those pushing the LG’s illegal agenda don’t set him on a collision course with President Tinubu.

The Concern CSOs in a press statement made available to journalists reads in parts;
“Mr President must muster the courage to speak directly to the governor of Edo state flying his party’s flag to desist from actions capable of disrupting peace and progress of Edo State, as anarchy anywhere is a threat 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 asks the governors to topple nor overthrow the local government administration in their respective states, especially when they are perceived to be politically different on a 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 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 them speaks volumes.

“The array of illegalities where elected council officials are suspended in a single sitting, where a quorum is not formed, legislative procedure are not followed under the full cover of security personnel suggests that Edo State government have not relented in its battle of toppling a constitutionally recognize third tier government in Nigeria.

“This amount to political coup di that, in a democratic dispensation using the instrumentality of state to orchestrate violence, the overthrow of the government to the satisfaction of corrupt political elements cum vampires.

“We urge Governor Monday Okpebholo to take the lead in towing the path of peace and collaboration with the local government administrations, communicate in clear terms your five-point agenda to them, and seek them to the key inn, to drive the vision of your administration.

“We 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 Commissioner of Police Edo State must wake up as a matter of urgency and cannot claim ignorance of the acts of violence that have plagued Edo state for the past weeks now, with no thugs arrested and investigated.

“While we assure the Nigeria Police the support of Edo State people to do their constitutional duty of maintaining law and other, we will not fail to resist any 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”.