The Edo State House of Assembly has suspended all 18 elected local government council chairmen in the state over allegations of insubordination and gross misconduct.
The decision was reached during plenary on Tuesday following a petition submitted by Governor Monday Okpebholo, who accused the council chairmen of refusing to submit their financial accounts to the state government.
The Assembly directed the leaders of the legislative arms in the 18 local government councils to take over the running of the councils for the next two months.
In his petition, Governor Okpebholo described the chairmen’s actions as insubordination and requested the House to address the issue. He cited their failure to comply with his December 3, 2024 directive to submit statements of account to the state’s Assets Verification Committee through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). The directive required financial statements from September 4, 2023, to date to assist the committee’s work.
The motion for the suspension was moved by Isibor Addeh, an APC member representing Esan North-East I, and seconded by Donald Okogbe of the PDP, representing Akoko-Edo II.
Following deliberations, 14 lawmakers voted in favor of the suspension, six opposed it, while three members abstained.
The Edo State House of Assembly comprises 24 members, with the majority belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
