The Edo State House of Assembly has resolved to suspend the chairmen and vice chairmen of all 18 local government councils in the state for two months over allegations of insubordination and gross misconduct.
During its plenary session yesterday, the Assembly also directed the legislative leaders of the affected councils to assume leadership roles in the interim. The suspension was prompted by a petition from Governor Monday Okpebholo, accusing the chairmen of refusing to comply with a directive to submit their financial records.
On December 3, Governor Okpebholo had issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the council chairmen to provide statements of account covering the period from September 2023 to date, as requested by the Edo State Assets Verification Committee. Their failure to comply was deemed a violation of the governor’s directive, amounting to insubordination and misconduct.
The suspension motion was introduced by Mr. Isibor Adeh (APC, Esan North East 1) and seconded by Mr. Donald Okogbe (PDP, Akoko-Edo II). After a heated debate, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku called for a vote, which resulted in 14 members supporting the motion, six opposing it, and three abstaining.
