Oshiomhole Gets 48-Hour Ultimatum from Edo PDP

Some more on the suspension of the Oredo Local Government Chairman. The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo South senatorial district of Edo state, has given Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, 48-hour ultimatum to reverse his decision to suspend the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council, Mr Mike Ehima or face the wrath of members of the party. The allegations made by members of the public during our research were not farfetched. They alleged the chairman was imposed on them by the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) and did not bother to challenge him especially as he was (evidently)) well connected in Edo State politics.
I can only imagine the people’s relief when the Governor finally stepped in by suspending him for two months, following allegations of impropriety levelled against him by the councillors in the locality. However, let’s not lose sight of the constitutional implications - the leadership in the Edo State House of Assembly wrote a letter to the governor describing his action as illegal and urged him to properly look at the relevant local government laws and reverse his decision. According to section 20 of the 2006 law, it is the sole prerogative of the State House of Assembly to approve the suspension of a council chairman after the Governor must have written to them requesting for the suspension. In this case, the Governor only wrote to the House on the 27th of July and the House explained that the matter will be treated when they resume plenary on the 7th of September. The governor went on to suspend the chairman and swore in the Vice Chairman which has been deemed illegal by all parties.
In my opinion, it was an act of desperation by the governor who was sure the PDP law makers in the house would frustrate any effort to suspend the chairman because of party allegiances. But does this justify the governor’s action (of not following due process) and creating a scenario, where the chairman could be returned to office and the people are made to put up with their ineffective chairman for a tad longer than necessary?

- Hadiza.