Benin, Edo – Amidst the crisis rocking Local Government Councils in Edo State since the suspension of the 18 Council chairmen and their vice chairmen, which is now degenerating into violence; a group under the aegis of Concern Civil Society Organisations in Edo State have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene to restore democracy.

The urged the president to ensure state governors obey the Supreme Court judgement on LG autonomy.

In a statement signed by the Concern Civil Society Organisations in Edo State signed by its spokesman, Emmanuel Ogbidi called on all lovers of democracy to prevail on the Edo State House of Assembly and Governor Monday Okpebholo to hearken to the voice of reason, recall the LG Council chairmen to office and rein in the hoodlums that are are allegedly laying siege at the various Council secretariats.

The CSOs claim that the Supreme Court judgement of 11 July has interpreted Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and has striped the House of Assembly of states of powers to suspend or sack LG chairmen.

“Following the recent supreme court judgment delivered on the 11th of July 2024, which gave autonomy to the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria including the 18 LG in Edo state, makes it a law in the land and supercedes every other laws which is at variance including local government administrative laws.", Ogbidi said