Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo is under fire for allegedly flouting multiple court orders mandating the reinstatement of sacked local government chairmen, drawing sharp criticism from analysts, opposition leaders, and the judiciary.
During a broadcast on TVC’s breakfast show Friday morning, anchors slammed Okpebholo’s defiance of judicial rulings, accusing him of acting “like an emperor” by disregarding a Supreme Court decision affirming local government autonomy.
The criticism followed a Leadership Newspaper report highlighting the governor’s refusal to comply with court directives to reinstate elected officials.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated the controversy, condemning Okpebholo’s actions as “flagrant lawlessness” and a “direct assault on the judiciary.” At a press conference in Benin City, PDP leaders accused the governor of steering Edo into “unconstitutional territory” by ignoring rulings that declared the suspensions and impeachments of local government chairmen illegal.
The crisis stems from the Edo State House of Assembly’s alleged attempt, reportedly backed by Okpebholo, to remove elected local government officials, a move that contradicts a Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy and public statements from the Attorney General of the Federation deeming such actions unconstitutional.
Last week, two Edo State High Court rulings delivered significant blows to the state government. In one case, Justice B.A. Okoh ordered the immediate reinstatement of Hon. Tajudeen Alade, Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government, and directed Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to provide security for Alade to resume his duties.
In a separate ruling, Justice O.M. Obayuwana declared the impeachment of Hon. Zibiri Marvelous and Hon. Benji Ojietu, Chairman and Vice Chairman of Etsako West Local Government, respectively, unconstitutional. The court nullified their removal, citing violations of Section 19 of the Edo State Local Government Law, and issued a perpetual injunction barring the state from interfering with their mandates. The court also imposed ₦1 million in costs on the councilors responsible, describing their actions as “illegal and politically motivated.”
The standoff has intensified tensions between the Okpebholo administration and opposition groups, with analysts warning that the governor’s defiance could undermine judicial authority and local governance in Edo State. The PDP has called for urgent action to address what it describes as a dangerous precedent for democratic institutions.
