The House of Representatives has directed the Accountant General of the Federation [AGF], Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo to stop all statutory allocations to Ekiti State until the Governor, Kayode Fayemi rescinds the recent dissolution of 16 local government councils in the state.

Also to be affected by the decision is Ondo and Edo States where similar incidents have occurred in the past.

In its resolution on a motion by Honourable Aribisala Adewale, the House also urged Governor Fayemi to immediately defreeze the accounts of the local councils.

While some members called for caution on the House's part, others argued that the action was wrong, especially coming from a political figure that have recently benefited from the process of the rule of law.

In a swift to the resolution of the federal lawmakers, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) described the members of the House of Representatives as lawless, petty and vindictive following its resolution asking the federal government to stop allocation to Ekiti State.

The federal legislators also ordered the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Hafiz Ringim to provide security for the affected 16 council chairmen and councillors and immediately effect their reinstatement.

While moving a motion, Honourable Adewale maintained that the dissolution was inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria adding that the National Assembly had to intervene in order to save the state from degenerating into anarchy.

He argued that the governor who recently emerged as a product of the rule of law should respect section 7 of the 1999 Constitution [as amended], and the Local Government Administration Laws of the state, which he said required the 2/3-majority support of the State House of Assembly for such an action to remain valid.

According to him, the action of the governor was totally in violation of the constitution, noting that no wrongdoing has been established against any of the sacked council chairmen and councillors.

The lawmaker further stressed that the action of the governor was causing a lot of tension in the state that if not well handled degenerate into a security crisis adding that there were demonstrations across the state two days ago following the dissolution.

First to oppose the motion was the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN], Honourable Femi Gbajabiamilah.

He reasoned that any action taken by the House on the matter may impede on the powers of the judiciary and adversely affect the persons involved.

Others members who also kicked against the motion were Honourable Monsuru Owalabi, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Patrick Ogbahiagbon, Chairman of the South South Caucus in the House, Andrew Uchendu, Emmanuel Jime, Samuel Sejiro, who in their separate contributions, asked the House to hands off the matter.

Those who supported the motion were former speaker, Hon (Mrs.) Patricia Etteh (PDP, Osun), Bala Ibn Na Allah (PDP, Kebbi) Gbenga Elegbeleye, John Halims Agoda (PDP, Delta), Cyril Maduabum (PDP, Anambra), Igo Aguma (PDP, Rivers), and Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta).

They all agued in their separate submissions that the action was wrong, especially coming from a political figure that recently benefited from the process of the rule of law.

They argued that it was even worse for him to unilaterally take the action without recourse to the State House of Assembly as required by law.

Recall that Governor Fayemi of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) who recently took over governance following the nullification of the election of Segun Oni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on October 25, 2010, dissolved the 16 local councils in the state and appointed caretaker committees in their place.