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The political crisis in local councils in Edo State has continued unrestrained with the impeachment of the Chairmen of Uhunmwode and Orhionmwon LGAs by their councillors on Thursday.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo
A similar impeachment had earlier occured in Owan East LGA with the removal of Aminu Okodo-Kadirihas, even though he said his impeachment along with his Vice Chairman, Clement Ojebuovbo, was unconstitutional.
Reports say several persons were injured in the melee in Uhunmwonde, as gunmen allegedly attacked bystanders.
The impeached Chairman, Kenneth Adodo, alleged that the shooters were policemen from the government house.
In Orhionmwon, the battle began on Wednesday, when councillors reportedly removed the Leader of the House, Daniel Osariemen, and replaced him with Chuks Isan, when they suspected he was mobilising forces for the impeachment of the Chairman, Newman Ugiagbe and his deputy, Midwest Ogbebor.
There was however a drastic turn of events on Thursday when the same Osariemen allegedly mobilise some forces, took over the secretariat of the council in Abudu, and resumed as the Acting Chairman of the local government area.
However, Ugiagbe, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Roy Osariemen, said the action in Abudu was illegal and that Ugiagbe remained the chairman of the local government area.
Addressing journalists in Benin City on Thursday, the chairman of Owan East, Okodo-Kadiri, said his purported impeachment processes were fraught with irregularities, which, according to him, violated provisions of the law.
He cited the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000 (as amended in 2002) which outlined specific procedures for the removal of council executives to buttress his claims.
Okodo also argued that the councillors failed to establish a seven-member investigative panel as mandated by the law, even as he was denied the opportunity to defend himself before such a panel.
He pointed out that the mace used during the impeachment was not the official mace of Owan East Local Government Council, thereby invalidating the process.
“The governor alleged that council chairmen embezzled ₦50 million meant for salaries, but this claim lacks merit,” he said.
“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.
“More so, the purported impeachment revealed that two key councillors were involved in the process- Haruna Mohammed and another member from Ward Seven – who had been suspended for gross misconduct before the session.”
He argued that the suspended councillors’ participation in the process rendered the proceedings invalid and emphasised that his office was never notified of their reinstatement, as required by due process.
He, however, vowed to seek justice through the judiciary to restore justice and uphold the rule of law.
He expressed confidence in the courts to overturn what he described as illegal and politically motivated impeachment.