Suspected thugs on Monday reportedly blocked access to the Etsako West Local Government Secretariat in Auchi, Edo State, leaving workers and the council chairman, Marvellous Zibiri, unable to enter their offices.
The situation stems from the ongoing conflict between local government chairmen and the Edo State House of Assembly. On December 17, 2024, the Assembly suspended the chairmen and vice chairmen of all 18 local government councils in the state for two months.
This decision followed a petition by the governor accusing the chairmen of failing to submit their councils’ financial records. During the suspension, legislative leaders were instructed to assume temporary leadership.
However, on December 20, Justice Efe Ikponmwhonba issued a court order reinstating the suspended chairmen, deeming the suspension invalid. This decision was supported by the Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, who criticized the Assembly’s actions as a violation of a July Supreme Court ruling granting local governments autonomy.
Despite the court ruling, not all reinstated chairmen were able to return to office. On December 23, some chairmen faced resistance from alleged thugs at their council secretariats.
During a visit to the Etsako West secretariat on Monday, the entrance was reportedly barricaded by suspected thugs, preventing Zibiri, his deputy, and council workers from gaining access. Staff who arrived to work had no choice but to wait outside under trees.
A council worker, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration, stating, “We reported to duty this morning only to find the gate of the secretariat locked by suspected thugs. The police are here but seem uninterested in what is happening.”
Efforts to contact the council chairman for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered. A police van was seen at the entrance, but officers appeared to take no action regarding the situation.
