Edo State LG Crisis Deepens As Gov Okpebholo Allegedly Sponsors Impeachment of 2 Council Chairmen
From Osazua IMAFIDON, BENIN
The ongoing political crisis in Edo State’s local government areas escalated on Tuesday, as Governor Monday Okpebholo has allegedly sponsored impeachment of two council chairmen in Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon local government areas.
The impeachment moves is not unconnected with plots to take over the councils by installing his loyalists as council chairmen using councillors.
Recall the Okpebholo had suspended all the council chairmen, but was resisted by courts that ruled only councillors can remove elected chairmen.
The purported impeachment of two council chairmen is to taste the waters and later move to other local government areas and subsequently take control of all councils and take charge of their FAAC accruing to councils.
However, the move to remove the chairman in Uhunmwonde, turned violent as gunmen allegedly attacked bystanders during the impeachment proceedings, leaving several injured.
The council chairman, Kenneth Adodo, accused police officers from the state government house of orchestrating the attack.
“The people who came to shoot were policemen from the government house,” Adodo alleged, calling for an investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, in Orhionmwon, councillors impeached the Leader of the House, Hon. Daniel Osariemen, on Wednesday, replacing him with Hon. Chuks Isan.
The move was reportedly a preemptive measure to prevent Osariemen from spearheading an alleged plan to impeach the council chairman, Hon. Newman Ugiagbe, and his Vice, Midwest Ogbebor.
However, Osariemen reportedly led unidentified individuals to seize control of the council secretariat in Abudu, where he declared himself the Acting Chairman.
In response, Ugiagbe, through his Press Secretary, Roy Osariemen, dismissed the action as illegal, insisting that he remains the legitimate chairman of the council.
In Owan East, Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri denounced his impeachment and that of his Vice, Hon. Clement Ojebuovbo, as unconstitutional.
Addressing journalists in Benin City on Thursday, Okodo-Kadiri claimed the process violated provisions of the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000 (as amended in 2002).
According to him, “the governor alleged that council chairmen embezzled ₦50 million meant for salaries, but this claim lacks merit.
“Monthly salary expenditures far exceed ₦50 million in most councils and salaries were paid promptly up to November, contrary to the governor’s claims.
“If funds were misappropriated, where is the proof? Our bank records are clear, and no salaries are owed.
“Moreso, the purported impeachment revealed that two key councillors were involved in the process—Hon. Haruna Mohammed and another member from Ward Seven who had been suspended for gross misconduct before the session.”
He argued that the suspended councillors’ participation in the process rendered the proceedings invalid and emphasised that his office was never notified of their reinstatement, as required by due process.
He, however, vowed to seek justice through the judiciary to restore justice and uphold the rule of law.
He expressed confidence in the courts to overturn what he described as illegal and politically motivated impeachment.
