The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, has described the suspension of local government chairmen and vice chairmen in Edo State as unconstitutional, stating that only councilors within the affected local government areas have the authority to remove or suspend elected officials, as reported by VANGUARD.
The AGF’s position is based on a recent Supreme Court ruling that granted autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments, this judgment stated that the powers to discipline elected officials at the local government level reside solely with their legislative councils.
In Edo State, the House of Assembly recently suspended 18 local government chairmen and their deputies.
The suspension was linked to allegations of misconduct and insubordination, including failure to submit financial reports dating back to 2022.
The governor had supported the action, citing non-compliance by the officials.
The suspended officials, however, rejected the decision, maintaining that their tenure, which ends in 2026, remains valid.
They argued that the suspension was politically motivated and unconstitutional.
The AGF acknowledged the need to review the reasons for the suspension but reaffirmed the legal principles surrounding the autonomy of local governments.
His stance has drawn attention to the ongoing tensions between state governments and local councils over control and administration.
“One thing that I know and can say without fear is that under the present dispensation, the Governor has no right to remove any local government chairman.
“That much I know. If I did not know before, since July 11, 2024, I became aware of it that removal of any local government chairman or official would be the prerogative of that local government, through their legislative house,” the AGF stated.