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_...demands immediate reinstatement, otherwise_
By Gidigba Group
It is no longer news that the relationship between President Tinubu and Monday Okpebholo, the Edo State Governor, is fast going sour, following Okpebholo's brazen disregard for Supreme Court judgement, granting autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.
It is said that President Tinubu is displeased that Okpebholo, an APC governor, less than 100 days in office, who ought to help protect local government autonomy, being a landmark achievement of the Tinubu-led administration, is leading an onslaught against elected local government Chairmen.
The President is said to be disappointed, refusing audience with the governor, despite frantic efforts by Okpebholo to see him.
Insider source revealed that recently, the President refused audience with the governor, former governor, Adams Oshiomhole, and the APC national Chairman, Umar Ganduje, when the trio visited to discuss challenges faced in the ongoing Edo election petitions tribunal; whereas the reason for Mr. President's refusal was not explicitly stated, observers says it may not be unconnected with Okpebholo's stand against local government autonomy and his illegal dismantling of elected local government Chairmen in Edo, despite court injunctions and AGF's warning.
Fresh developments reveals a rapidly growing hostility between Abuja and the Edo State governor, a situation causing severe unsettling and panic in Okpebholo's camp; all attempts by the governor to get the powers-that-be to smuggle him to Mr. President has proven abortive.
We are told that sources close to the President, who do not want their names in print due to the sensitivity of the matter, have hinted the governor to quickly rectify the mess in Edo Councils, as Mr. President does not want to be seen one-on-one with Okpebholo due to his opposition to local government autonomy.
Governor Okpebholo is said to be in emergency talks with his top aides, including the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, on best possible way(s) to reverse the ugly trend and get elected local government Chairmen back to their seats, as that may pacify the President.
Meanwhile, APC/Okpebholo continue to face setbacks at the Edo election petitions tribunal, with damning revelations of massive electoral malpractice which characterized the September 21 Edo governorship election, for which INEC declared Monday Okpebholo winner, amid roping controversies.
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