Edo State’s local government crisis escalated on Thursday with the reported impeachment of two chairmen in Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon local government areas by their respective councillors.
In a contrasting development, Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri, the chairman of Owan East, rejected claims of his impeachment, along with that of his vice, Clement Ojebuovbo, labeling the actions unconstitutional and unlawful.
In Uhunmwonde, violence erupted as gunmen allegedly attacked bystanders, leaving several injured. Kenneth Adodo, the local chairman, accused the gunmen of being policemen from the government house.
Meanwhile, in Orhionmwon, councillors voted on Wednesday to remove the Leader of the House, Daniel Osariemen, replacing him with Chuks Isan. This followed concerns that Osariemen was being mobilized to lead an impeachment motion against chairman Newman Ugiagbe and his deputy, Midwest Ogbebor.
Osariemen, who was allegedly involved in leading an unknown group to seize the council’s secretariat in Abudu, later declared himself the Acting Chairman. Ugiagbe, however, called the move illegal, asserting that he remained the legitimate chairman.
In a press briefing in Benin City, Okodo-Kadiri further denounced the impeachment process, claiming it was marred by legal violations. He cited the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000 (amended in 2002), which outlines the correct procedures for impeaching council executives. Okodo-Kadiri contended that the councillors did not form a seven-member investigative panel, a key requirement of the law, and prevented him from defending himself before the panel. Additionally, he highlighted that the mace used during the impeachment was not the official one, rendering the process invalid.
Addressing the governor’s allegations of ₦50 million embezzlement meant for salaries, Okodo-Kadiri dismissed them, stating that salary expenditures in local councils exceed this amount, and that salaries were paid promptly up until November. He questioned the validity of the claims, pointing to the absence of any proof of misappropriation in their bank records.
Okodo-Kadiri also revealed that two key councillors involved in the impeachment process—Haruna Mohammed and another member from Ward Seven—had been previously suspended for misconduct, thus undermining the legitimacy of the proceedings. He stated that his office was never notified of their reinstatement as required by law.
The embattled chairman vowed to seek legal redress through the courts, confident that the judiciary would overturn the impeachment, which he described as politically motivated and unlawful.
