PDP set to sue Ekiti Assembly over LG creation

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has threatened to sue the state House of Assembly for contempt should it take further steps on the bill sent to it by Governor Kayode Fayemi for the creation of additional local council development authorities (LCDAs). The party warned that “it would be contemptuous for the Assembly to pass the bill intended to create more LCDAs into law when there is a pending suit in court against such policy.” The party expressed the intention in a letter dated July 8 and signed by its Legal Adviser, Mr Kolapo Kolade, and addressed to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin. In the letter made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, the PDP, which had earlier gone to Ado Ekiti High Court to challenge the rationale behind the creation of more LCDAs by Governor Kayode Fayemi at the twilight of his administration, warned the assembly against contempt of court by its actions on the local government creation. The party, in the suit number HAD/75/2014, filed by its chairman, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, had prayed the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining Governor Fayemi from carrying out the policy on the premise that it was ill-timed and targeted at creating problems for the incoming administration. Alluding to Cap. 8 section 54(5) of the standing order of the assembly, which bordered on the rules of debate, the party quoted that “no matter pending in Court of Law shall be entertained by the House in order not to prejudice the decision of the court in respect of the matter.” Stating further, the PDP added that “similarly, it is in law that when an application for injunction is pending in court, none of the parties should take step regarding the issue raised therein. “We, therefore, wish that you will be advised accordingly, as we are aware that the issue of the creation of LCDAs, which is the subject matter of the suit under reference, is said to have passed the first reading in the House on July 7 2014 despite the pendency of the suit and the fact that you have adequate notice of the same.”