A former Chief Press Secretary to Godwin Obaseki, Mr. John Mayaki, has advised the recently impeached local government council chairmen in Edo State to challenge their removal in court rather than causing unrest in the state.
Speaking to journalists in Benin City on Wednesday, Mayaki also cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party in the state against making inflammatory statements, warning that such comments could escalate political tensions. He maintained that no amount of “cheap blackmail or campaign of calumny” would deter the governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, from fulfilling his developmental agenda.
Mayaki questioned the relevance of the governor in the impeachment of the council chairmen, emphasising that the process was carried out by elected councillors at the local government level.
He said, “The councillors are PDP, just as the council chairmen. Whereas the governor belongs to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the governor has no authority over the legislators at the 18 local government councils of the state and cannot stop them from exercising their constitutional rights.
“Local government councils, like their counterparts in higher legislative bodies such as the State Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly, do have the constitutional authority to impeach their chairmen; it’s constitutionally guaranteed.”
Mayaki urged the impeached council chairmen to contest their removal in court instead of resorting to public protests or making provocative statements.
“I want to advise all impeached council chairmen to simply contest their impeachment in courts of competent jurisdiction. That is the appropriate course of action at this time, and they should stop constituting nuisance around and heating up the polity.
“I think going around and making careless statements is capable of bringing anarchy to the state,” he added.
Highlighting the achievements of Governor Monday Okpebholo, Mayaki described the governor as a transformative leader committed to development and peace in the state.
“Our governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is already turning the state into a construction site, leading a peaceful state, doing wonders, and putting smiles on the faces of the people.
“The PDP should know that no amount of blackmail will slow down the governor or reverse the wheel of progress. Governor Monday Okpebholo has a divine mandate, and no amount of campaign of calumny can distract him from focusing on his mandate of development,” he said.
Mayaki concluded by cautioning the PDP against actions and rhetoric that could destabilise the state. He reiterated his call for due process and urged all parties to prioritise the peace and development of Edo State over political rivalries.
