Impeachment Turmoil Rocks Edo: Violence and Controversy As Two Chairmen Are Fired

Impeachment Turmoil Rocks Edo: Violence and Controversy As Two Chairmen Are Fired

The political turmoil in Edo State reached a boiling point on Wednesday as two local government chairmen were impeached in Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon LGAs. Meanwhile, the chairman of Owan East, Aminu Okodo-Kadiri, strongly…Impeachment Turmoil Rocks Edo: Violence and Controversy As Two Chairmen Are Fired

rejected the “unconstitutional” impeachment against him and his deputy, Clement Ojebuovbo.

In Uhunmwonde LGA, tensions escalated after gunmen reportedly opened fire on bystanders, injuring several people. Kenneth Adodo, the local chairman, accused government house policemen of being behind the attack.

In Orhionmwon, the drama intensified as the councillors removed House Leader Daniel Osariemen, replacing him with Chuks Isan after Osariemen allegedly orchestrated efforts to oust the chairman, Newman Ugiagbe, and his deputy, Midwest Ogbebor. Osariemen’s group had taken control of the secretariat in Abudu, declaring him the acting chairman, but Ugiagbe’s camp dismissed this as illegal, reaffirming his position as the legitimate chairman.

Okodo-Kadiri, speaking out in Benin, voiced his displeasure over the impeachment proceedings, labeling them illegal and rife with procedural flaws. He highlighted the violation of Edo State’s Local Government Law of 2000, which mandates specific steps for removing council executives, including a two-thirds majority vote, an independent investigative panel, and adherence to timelines.

“The impeachment was a sham. It didn’t follow due process. The panel wasn’t properly set up, and I wasn’t given the chance to defend myself,” Okodo-Kadiri asserted. He also denied accusations of financial mismanagement, including a claim of misappropriating N50 million intended for salaries, stating that salary expenditures exceeded N50 million, and payments had been made on time until November.

Okodo-Kadiri vowed to seek justice through the courts to reverse what he called a politically motivated impeachment.

As the crisis continues, the legitimacy of the impeachment processes remains hotly debated, with both sides accusing each other of flouting the law.

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