2 Edo council chairmen impeached amid violence, disputes

The crisis in Edo State’s local government administration escalated on Thursday, as two council chairmen were impeached by their councillors in Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon local government areas.

In a related development, the chairman of Owan East, Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri, rejected his impeachment, along with that of his vice, Clement Ojebuovbo, describing the process as unconstitutional and illegal.

Violence erupted in Uhunmwonde, where several people sustained injuries after gunmen allegedly opened fire on bystanders. The council chairman, Kenneth Adodo, accused policemen from the state government house of being behind the attack.

In Orhionmwon, councillors impeached the Leader of the House, Daniel Osariemen, replacing him with Chuks Isan.

Reports indicate that Osariemen had allegedly been mobilized to impeach the council chairman, Newman Ugiagbe, and his vice, Midwest Ogbebor.

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Osariemen was further accused of leading unknown persons to take over the council secretariat in Abudu, where he reportedly assumed the position of Acting Chairman.

However, Ugiagbe dismissed the events in Abudu as illegal. Through his Press Secretary, Roy Osariemen, he affirmed that he remained the legitimate chairman of the local government.

Addressing reporters in Benin City, Owan East Chairman Okodo-Kadiri criticized his impeachment as flawed and inconsistent with the provisions of the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000 (as amended in 2002).

He highlighted several alleged irregularities, including the absence of a legally mandated seven-member investigative panel and the use of an unofficial mace during the impeachment process.

“The governor alleged that council chairmen embezzled ₦50 million meant for salaries, but this claim lacks merit,” Okodo-Kadiri stated. “Monthly salary expenditures far exceed ₦50 million in most councils, and salaries were paid up to November. Where is the proof of misappropriation? Our bank records are clear, and no salaries are owed.”

He further claimed that two suspended councillors participated in the impeachment proceedings, rendering the process invalid.

Okodo-Kadiri vowed to challenge the impeachment in court, expressing confidence in the judiciary to reverse what he described as a politically motivated and illegal act.