LG Caretaker Committees In Ondo Illegal – PDP

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has described as illegal the decision by the State House of Assembly to approve the appointment of Caretaker Committees into Local Governments and  Local Council Development Authority, (LCDAs).

The party expressed shock by what it described as  “the shameless screening and approval of Caretaker Committees of Local Council Development Areas and Local Government Areas in flagrant violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria as amended.”

The state assembly had on Tuesday passed named of those nominated to serve as chairmen and vice in the local councils and LCDAs.

A statement on Tuesday, signed by Leye Igbabo, Director of Media and Publicity, noted that “It is unbelievable that those who are supposed to make laws for the state are the same persons breaking the law.

“Section 7(1) of the Constitution of Nigeria expressly states “The system of local government by democratically elected government council is under this constitution guaranteed and accordingly, the government of every state shall subject to Section 8 of this constitution ensure their existence under a law which provides for establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils”.

“Therefore, in the eyes of the law, the screening and confirmation of the said Caretaker Committees are null and void.

“Our party also believes the appointment of these committees is an attempt to derail the Local Government elections scheduled for 17th February, 2024 in view of the fact that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State is not in a form to have a good showing in the local polls.

“The Ondo State House of Assembly should not make itself a willing agent in the hands of those who are hell bent on driving the state towards a huge rock.

“This public show of shame must stop for once because the consequences of damaging the very constitution that binds us together is better left unimagined.”