The Edo State House of Assembly has taken decisive action by suspending all 18 elected local government chairmen in the state over allegations of insubordination and misconduct. The Assembly announced the suspension during a plenary session on Tuesday, citing failure to comply with state directives as the key issue.
The move followed a petition submitted by Governor Monday Okpebholo. In his complaint, the governor accused the chairmen of refusing to provide detailed financial accounts of their councils to the state government. He described their actions as “insubordination and gross misconduct” and urged the Assembly to intervene.
During the session, Mr. Isibor Addeh, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Esan North-East I, moved the motion for suspension. It was seconded by Donald Okogbe, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Akoko-Edo II. After a heated debate, 14 legislators voted in favor of the suspension, six opposed it, and three abstained.
The suspension is set to last for two months, during which leaders of the legislative councils in the affected areas will manage local government affairs. The Assembly emphasized that the move aims to restore accountability.
This action comes after Governor Okpebholo had, on December 3, 2024, given the chairmen a 48-hour ultimatum to submit financial statements dating from September 4, 2023, to the Assets Verification Committee. He insisted that compliance was necessary for the committee to function effectively.
The 24-member Assembly, dominated by PDP members, stressed that it will continue to ensure transparency and accountability in local governance.
