KEY POINTS

• Edo Assembly suspends 18 council chairmen and deputies for insubordination and not submitting financial records, following Governor Okpebholo’s petition.
• Speaker Blessing Agbebaku emphasized the suspension ensures accountability while investigations into financial misconduct allegations are underway.
• Legislative leaders in councils will oversee administration during the suspension period, pending outcomes of the Assembly’s inquiries.

On Monday, the Edo State House of Assembly suspended for two months all the chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils.

Channels reported that the suspension stemmed from claims of insubordination and not submitting financial records to the state government.

The suspension came after a petition from Governor Monday Okpebholo, who termed the council leaders’ failure to provide financial reports as serious misconduct.

The Assembly further instructed legislative leaders in the councils to assume control of administration during the suspension period.

Lawmakers debate Governor’s petition

The suspension motion, moved by Esan North East representative Isibor Adeh and seconded by Akoko-Edo representative Donald Okogbe, was met with spirited debate among lawmakers.

Speaker Blessing Agbebaku required all 23 members to express their positions before a vote.

In the final tally, 14 legislators supported the suspension, six opposed it, and three abstained.

Governor Okpebholo’s petition argued that the council leaders’ actions violated administrative standards, justifying intervention by the Assembly.

Leadership transition and next steps

With the resolution passed, the Assembly directed the clerk, Yahaya Omogbai, to notify the affected council leaders immediately.

Legislative arms within the councils are to oversee administration during the suspension period.

Speaker Agbebaku said the decision was necessary to ensure accountability in local governance, adding that investigations into the allegations would proceed.

This marks a significant escalation in tensions between the state government and local councils, with the findings of the inquiry expected to determine further action.