Tension rises in Edo over impeachment of two more LG Chairmen
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Jethro Ibileke
The impeachment of Chairmen of Local Government Areas in Edo State continued on Tuesday, as Chairmen of Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon local government areas were reportedly impeached by their elected Councilors.
Several people were reportedly injured in Uhunmwonde, as gunmen reportedly attacked bystanders, injuring many of them in the process.
The chairman of the Council, Kenneth Adodo alleged that policemen from Government House in Benin were present during the impeachment.
Councilors in Orhionmwon had on Wednesday impeached the Leader of the House, Daniel Osariemen and replaced him with Chuks Isan, following reports that Osariemen was being mobilized to impeach the chairman, Hon Newman Ugiagbe and his Vice Midwest Ogbebor.
However, the purportedly suspended Leader, Osariemen, allegedly led unknown persons to take over the Council secretariat in Abudu, where he reportedly resumed as the Acting Chairman of the local government area.
The Council Chairman, Ugiagbe, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Roy Osariemen, described the action in Abudu as illegal and that he remained the chairman of the local government area.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Owan East LG Council, Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri has described his purported impeachment and that of his Vice, Clement Ojebuovbo, as unconstitutional and illegal.
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Okodo-Kadiri who addressed journalists in Benin on Thursday, while quoting from the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000 (as amended in 2002), argued that the councillors failed to establish a seven-member investigative panel as mandated by the law, and he was denied the opportunity to defend himself before such a panel.
He added that the mace used during the impeachment was not the official mace of the Owan East Local Government Council, thereby invalidating the process.
Okodo-Kadiri said: “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 prior to the session.”
He vowed to seek justice through the judiciary to restore justice and uphold the rule of law, even as he expressed confidence in the courts to overturn what he described as illegal and politically-motivated impeachment.
