The Chairman of the Esan South-East local government area of Edo state has been sacked by an Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.
Mr Victor Emuankhagbon was sacked on Friday and the court declared Peter Aguele as the authentic winner and candidate of the party.
Aguele had approached the court to contest Emuankhagbon’s candidacy. He argued that he won the primary election ducted by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) during January 24, 2018, local government council election in the state.
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The case which was presided over by Judge Daniel Okungbowa held that
“the petitioner is the rightful candidate of the party for the election, having emerged through direct primary
“Therefore the respondent should stop parading himself as the chairman of the council, and he should refund all the monies so far paid to him while in office as chairman of the council in the last two years to the treasury of the council.”
The court also ordered that Aguele be paid his entitlements and monies due to him since 2018 as the rightful candidate.
Reacting to the judgement, Peter Aguele described the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
He dedicated the victory to the people of Esan South-East local government and members of the APC in the state and the local government.
Meanwhile, Victor Emuankhagbon though his legal counsel Charity Aiguobarueghian, Esq vowed to challenge the judgement at the Court of Appeal.
Obaseki Swears in Aguele
Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has sworn-in Peter Aguele as the new Chairman, Esan South-East Local Government.
This is following the judgement of the Edo State High Court declaring him the rightful winner of the chairmanship primaries in the council.
Obaseki congratulated the new chairman, noting that his administration adheres to the rule of law.
“Our government respects the rule of law that is why upon receiving the court order, we immediately obeyed, and affirm your victory by swearing you in.
“You are assuming office at a very difficult time when the revenue of Local Governments Areas is seriously challenged. The revenue is significantly down and the expectations of our people are very high. You have a lot of work to do politically in ensuring that Esan South East is stable and that the people enjoy the dividends of democracy under your watch,” he said.
Obaseki added, “I want to assure you that we will support you to ensure you overcome any challenges you will be facing in office but ensure you carry your people along.”
Responding, the new Chairman noted that his victory at the court is a victory for democracy and Esan South East People.
He said, “The case was a pre-election matter. I had filed that am the rightful candidate for the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following my victory at the Chairmanship primary and the Court granted my prayers, ordering that I should be sworn-in immediately.
“The governor didn’t waste time in carrying out the order of the Court showing that the Governor Obaseki-led administration and the APC as a party obey the rule of law. We have a governor that has given everyone a level playing ground. I assure my people that I will not disappoint them.”
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