Edo Assembly Suspends Local Government Chairmen Over Financial Misconduct Allegations

The Edo State House of Assembly has suspended all 18 local government chairmen across the state over allegations of insubordination and gross misconduct. The decision followed a petition submitted by Governor Monday Okpebholo, accusing the council executives of failing to submit financial statements of their respective councils to the state government.

During Tuesday’s plenary session, the Assembly debated the matter after the motion for suspension was moved by Isibor Addeh, an APC lawmaker representing Esan North-East I, and seconded by Donald Okogbe of the PDP, representing Akoko-Edo II. At the conclusion of the debate, 14 members voted in favor of the suspension, six opposed it, while three abstained.

Governor Okpebholo had earlier issued a directive on December 3, 2024, giving the local government chairmen a 48-hour deadline to provide statements of account covering the period from September 4, 2023, to date. The governor emphasized that these submissions were crucial for the state’s Assets Verification Committee to carry out its work efficiently.

With the suspension in effect, the House has instructed the legislative leaders in each of the 18 local governments to oversee council affairs for the next two months.

The current Edo State House of Assembly consists of 24 members, with the majority belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The suspended chairmen and 192 councillors had been elected into office on September 2, 2023.