In compliance with the judgment of the state high court sitting in Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, the government, on Thursday, dissolved the 21 local councils and ordered the Directors of Local Government to take charge immediately.

The state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in a statement made available to the newsmen in Lokoja, the state capital, informed that the dissolution was in compliance with the Koton-Karfe High Court Order of Wednesday, 17 December, 2014.

The statement, which was signed by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Pastor James Adedoyin, added that “the governor directed all the council chairmen to hand over the affairs of the local governments to their respective DLGs on Thursday.

"He also directed the DLGs to take over the affairs of the local governments pending the conduct of another local government election."

Justice Alaba Omolaiye-Ajileye of High Court Koton-Karfe, had, on Monday, delivered judgement in respect of a suit instituted by the All Progressives Congress( APC) against the state government and state electoral commission (SIEC) and declared that membership of the SIEC that conducted the May 4, 2013 local government election was constituted contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Justice Ajileye also declared that the chairmen and the councillors that were elected under the void election had lost their posts and ordered that the most senior director of the local governments assume responsibilities of each council pending the conduct of another local government election is conducted.

The same court on Wednesday, 17th December, 2014, made a fresh order compelling the Attorney General of the State to ensure compliance with its judgment of Monday 8th day of December, 2014 within 24 hours from the time of his directive.

The statement reportedly said the governor being an ardent believer of rule of law called on all concerned to ensure strict compliance with these directives.

•Credit: Nigerian Tribune. Photo shows Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State.

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