The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state Tuesday decried alleged unauthorised attempts by agents of the state government to change local government account signatories in addition to clandestine efforts to withdraw funds from the said accounts without a proper mandate.
The party cautioned commercial banks against illegal altering accounts of the councils, saying “the PDP will not hesitate to file contempt charges against erring financial institutions.”
The chairman of PDP in Edo state, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, who stated this in Benin City said, “there are also reports of illegal requests for sensitive council documents by unauthorised persons.”
Aziegbemi stated this amid standoff between the PDP dominated 18 council chairmen and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Edo state government.
The PDP chairman condemned “an attempt to unlawfully and illegally remove or overthrow an elected tier of government in Edo state, a component and federating unit of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, contrary to Section 1(2) of the Constitution and judicial orders.”
He said the flagrant disregard for the judiciary and the subversion of the constitution by the state government was a serious threat to democracy, adding, if the lawlessness is allowed to continue, it would create a dangerous precedent.
The PDP chairman said: “Okpebholo hired thugs have continued to deny the elected chairmen and vice chairmen access to their respective offices, despite the position of all the court injunctions not to interfere in the council’s and an express unequivocal order to restore them back to their offices.”
