Edo LG Crisis Deepens Amid Gunfire, Impeachment Disputes

Kehinde Fajobi

The political crisis in Edo State’s local government councils escalated on Thursday following violent confrontations and disputes over impeachments.

Gunmen reportedly attacked the Uhunmwode Local Government Council headquarters in Egor, injuring several people. The chairman of Uhunmwode, Kenneth Adodo, accused policemen from the Edo State Government House of being involved in the shooting.

This attack came after reports emerged of the impeachment of the chairmen of Uhunmwode and Orhionmwon local councils by elected councillors.

In response, Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri, chairman of Owan East Local Government Council, swiftly rejected his own impeachment, calling it unconstitutional and illegal.

On Wednesday, councillors in Orhionmwon impeached their Leader, Hon. Daniel Osariemen, replacing him with Hon. Chuks Isan.

They accused Osariemen of plotting to impeach the council chairman, Hon. Newman Ugiagbe. Osariemen, however, allegedly led a group to seize the council’s secretariat in Abudu, where he took on the role of Acting Chairman.

The Chief Press Secretary to Ugiagbe, Roy Osariemen, condemned the action, stating that Ugiagbe remained the legitimate chairman. Okodo-Kadiri, speaking in Benin City, also denounced his impeachment process, citing legal irregularities, including the failure to form a seven-member investigative panel as outlined in the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000.

Okodo-Kadiri further questioned claims made by the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, regarding ₦50 million in alleged embezzled funds.

“Monthly salary expenditures far exceed ₦50 million in most councils and salaries were paid promptly up to November, contrary to the governor’s claims,” he said.

Okodo-Kadiri also pointed out that two suspended councillors had been involved in his purported impeachment.

The crisis follows the suspension of all local government chairmen and their deputies by the Edo State House of Assembly three weeks ago, after they allegedly refused to submit financial records to the state government.

The Assembly’s resolution empowered legislative leaders to take over the councils. Despite 14 votes in favour, 6 against, and 3 abstentions, tensions continue to rise as the political impasse persists.