Edo Commissioner retracts appointment of acting Council Chairman

Edo Commissioner, Lucky Eseigbe

Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga

By Jethro Ibileke

Edo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Lucky Eseigbe, has withdrawn his letter appointing an Acting Chairman for Oredo Local Government Council.

Eseigbe had, in a letter dated 3 February 2025, appointed the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), Dr Igbinigie Osaheni, as Acting Chairman, following the alleged refusal of elected councillors to impeach the council’s Chairman, Dr Tom Obaseki.

However, the appointment sparked outrage, with critics condemning it as a violation of democratic principles. Many viewed the move as an attempt to impose an outsider on the local government.

In addition, Dr Obaseki’s legal counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), issued a stern warning to the Commissioner, threatening to initiate contempt proceedings if the appointment was not rescinded within 48 hours.

In a strongly worded letter, the Senior Advocate described the appointment as “superfluous, insidious, and an affront to the democratic principles of our nation.”

Faced with mounting backlash, Dr Eseigbe made a U-turn. In a letter signed by Mr G. O. Igberase, the Commissioner formally withdrew the contentious appointment.