Politics
Kwara PDP kicks against suspension of 16 LGA chairmen
The suspension of no less than 16 local government chairmen by the state legislature has been condemned by the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the PDP which also called for their immediate reinstatement, the move by the state legislature to suspend the 16 local government bosses over alleged corruption is illegal and undemocratic.
The PDP in a statement signed by its chairman, Engr. Kola Shittu, noted that it is wrong for the House to recommend the suspension of the council bosses on allegation of financial misappropriation when they had not been properly investigated.
The statement by the PDP reads thus; “We wish to remind the lawmakers of a subsisting court order barring the state governor nor any of his representatives including the State House of Assembly from suspending or dissolving elected local government chairmen or interfere in their financial activities until the lawful expiration of their tenure in 2020.
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“It is also instructive to note that the Supreme Court had also declared as illegal and unconstitutional the dissolution of local government councils by state governors and the state assemblies.
“The decision of the Kwara State House of Assembly to suspend the elected council chairmen, therefore, amounts to reckless disregard of court order, abuse of power, and rape of democracy that must be resisted by all lovers of democracy. We must not allow our democracy to be subverted by anti-democratic elements.
“It is unfortunate that lawmakers who are supposed to be advocates of justice and due process are the ones compromising the law and perpetrating illegality to serve the interest of their paymasters.
“We wish to state that we are currently studying the situation and will contest the suspension of the council chairmen and ensure that justice is served.
“The party, therefore, urges Kwarans to disregard the illegal suspension of the local government chairmen they freely elected into office. As far as our laws are concerned, they remain the duly elected chairmen and will remain so till their tenure expire next year.”
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