Edo Assembly Suspends 18 LG Councils Chairmen, Vice
The Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, suspended the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs), of the State for two months over alleged corruption, gross misconduct and insubordination.
This came shortly after Governor Monday Okpebolo announced the immediate dissolution of all public service commission including the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission.
The House of Assembly said the suspension of the LG Councils chairmen followed their refusal to submit their statement of account within 48 hours as directed by Governor Okpebholo, adding that the period of suspension is to allow for an investigation into the allegations.
The Governor’s was issued last week but, the Councils chairmen instead sought for a court order to restrain the governor from carrying out the order.
At Tuesday’s plenary of the House, Hon. Emakhu Isibor Adeh moved a motion for the suspension of the council chairmen and their deputies and was seconded by Hon. Donald Okogbe.
However, Hon. Asonsere Nicholas Friday moved a counter motion, saying that the allegations should not be used against innocent individuals, stressing that if there were issues of misconduct and corruption, everybody, cannot be corrupted at the same time.
Hon Friday’s counter motion was seconded by Hon Frank Uyi Omosigho representing Oredo East Constituency.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Edeko Maria Omozele, tried to intervene by advising for the matter to be referred to the House committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for proper investigation.
However, the Speaker, Hon. Blessing Sheriff Agbeku, chose to put the matter to vote which recorded 14 in favour of the motion for the suspension of the Council leaders and 10 voted against their suspension.
The House directed that the heads of the legislative arms of the councils should oversee the running of the councils during the period of the two months suspension.
