Edo State Assembly Suspends All 18 Local Government Chairmen and Vice Chairmen

The Edo State House of Assembly suspends all 18 local government chairmen and their deputies over alleged misconduct, sparking political debate.

The Edo State House of Assembly has decided to suspend all chairmen and vice-chairmen across the state’s 18 local government councils for a period of two months.

The house also directed the leaders of the legislative branches to assume leadership roles within their respective councils.

The suspension of the council’s chairpersons and their deputies was initiated by a motion proposed by Isibor Adeh, who represents Esan North East One, and supported by Donald Okogbe, representing Akoko-Edo Two.

Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of the state, submitted a petition to the House regarding the refusal of local government chairmen to provide their financial records to the state government.

In the letter, the governor described their action as insubordination and gross misconduct and requested that the House investigate the matter.

When the issue was brought up for discussion, 14 members voted in favor of their suspension, six opposed it, and three abstained from voting.

The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, had previously informed the members that everyone needed to address the matter.

Once everyone had spoken, the speaker instructed Yahaya Omogbai, the clerk of the House, to conduct a head count of members who supported or opposed suspending the council’s chairmen and their deputies.