The Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday took a major step by suspending all chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils in the state for a period of two months.
This decision was made following a petition from the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who accused the council leaders of insubordination and gross misconduct due to their refusal to submit financial records to the state government.
The motion for suspension was initiated by Isibor Adeh, a member representing Esan North East I, and was seconded by Donald Okogbe, representing Akoko-Edo II.
The governor's petition highlighted the council heads' failure to comply with a directive issued on December 3, 2024, which required them to submit account statements from September 4, 2023, to the present date. These records were to be forwarded to the assets verification committee through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) within 48 hours.
During the assembly session, the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, emphasized the importance of every member voicing their opinion on the matter before a decision was reached. After thorough deliberations, a head count was conducted by the clerk, Yahaya Omogbai, revealing that 14 members voted in favor of the suspension, six opposed it, and three abstained from voting.
The suspension not only removed the council leaders from their positions temporarily but also mandated the legislative arms' leaders to assume interim leadership of their respective councils. This move was seen as a necessary measure to ensure accountability and transparency within the local government system.
Governor Okpebholo's actions were driven by concerns over the lack of financial transparency and accountability among the council leaders. His spokesperson, Fred Itua, reiterated the governor's stance, stating that the refusal to submit financial records constituted a serious breach of trust and governance principles. The governor urged the House to take decisive action to address this misconduct and restore order within the local government administration.
The suspension has sparked discussions and debates across the state, with various stakeholders expressing their views on the matter. Some see it as a justified response to the alleged misconduct, while others question the legality and implications of such a sweeping suspension. The situation has also drawn attention to the broader issues of governance and accountability in Edo State, highlighting the need for robust mechanisms to ensure transparency and integrity in public office.
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