The crisis in Edo State’s local government areas persisted on Tuesday, as reports emerged that two chairmen had been impeached by their respective councillors in Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon local government areas.
Meanwhile, in Owan East, Chairman Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri has denied claims of his impeachment, stating that both his own removal and that of his Vice Chairman, Hon. Clement Ojebuovbo, were unconstitutional and illegal.
In Uhunmwonde, a violent incident occurred when gunmen allegedly attacked bystanders, leaving several people injured.
Council Chairman Kenneth Adodo accused the attackers of being police officers from the government house.
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In Orhionmwon, councillors impeached the Leader of the House, Hon. Daniel Osariemen, on Wednesday, replacing him with Hon. Chuks Isan.
The move came after it was reported that Osariemen had been mobilized to lead an impeachment against Chairman Hon. Newman Ugiagbe and his Vice, Midwest Ogbebor.
Osariemen, who was allegedly involved in an attempt to take over the council’s secretariat in Abudu, had purportedly assumed the role of Acting Chairman.
However, Ugiagbe, through his Press Secretary Roy Osariemen, declared the actions in Abudu illegal, asserting that Ugiagbe remained the legitimate chairman of the local government area.
In an address to journalists in Benin City on Thursday, Owan East Chairman Okodo-Kadiri criticized the impeachment process, claiming it was riddled with irregularities that violated legal provisions.
He cited the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000 (amended in 2002), which outlines specific procedures for the removal of council executives.
Okodo argued that the councillors failed to establish a seven-member investigative panel as required by law, and he was not granted the opportunity to defend himself before such a panel.
Additionally, he pointed out that the mace used during the impeachment was not the official mace of the Owan East Local Government Council, rendering the process invalid.
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According to him, “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 before the session.”
He contended that the involvement of the suspended councillors in the process made the proceedings invalid and pointed out that his office had never been informed of their reinstatement, as mandated by due process.
Nevertheless, he pledged to pursue justice through the judiciary in order to restore fairness and uphold the rule of law.
He expressed confidence that the courts would overturn what he described as an illegal and politically motivated impeachment.
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