The crisis in Edo State Local Government Areas escalated on Thursday as two council chairmen were reportedly impeached by their councillors in Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon Local Government Areas.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Owan East Local Government Area, Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri, has described his impeachment and that of his vice, Hon. Clement Ojebuovbo, as unconstitutional and illegal.
In Uhunmwonde, violence broke out as gunmen allegedly attacked bystanders, leaving several injured. The council chairman, Kenneth Adodo, accused the attackers of being policemen from the government house.
In Orhionmwon, the councillors impeached the Leader of the House, Hon. Daniel Osariemen, on Wednesday, replacing him with Hon. Chuks Isan. The impeachment reportedly occurred after rumours surfaced that Osariemen was being mobilised to impeach the council chairman, Hon. Newman Ugiagbe, and his vice, Midwest Ogbebor.
Following his removal, Osariemen allegedly led unidentified individuals to occupy the council secretariat in Abudu, where he purportedly declared himself the Acting Chairman. However, Ugiagbe, through his Press Secretary, Roy Osariemen, dismissed the action as illegal, asserting his continued role as the legitimate chairman.
In a press briefing on Thursday in Benin City, Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri criticised his purported impeachment, citing irregularities that violated the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000 (as amended in 2002). He highlighted procedural lapses, including the absence of a seven-member investigative panel required by law and his lack of opportunity to defend himself.
Okodo-Kadiri also questioned the validity of the impeachment process, noting that the mace used was not the official mace of the Owan East Local Government Council. He further argued that the participation of two councillors—Hon. Haruna Mohammed and a member from Ward Seven—invalidated the proceedings as they had been previously suspended for gross misconduct.
According to Okodo-Kadiri, “The governor alleged that council chairmen embezzled ₦50 million meant for salaries, but this claim lacks merit. Monthly salary expenditures far exceed ₦50 million in most councils, and salaries were paid promptly up to November, contrary to the governor’s claims. If funds were misappropriated, where is the proof? Our bank records are clear, and no salaries are owed.”
He added that his office was not notified of the suspended councillors’ reinstatement, as required by law, further undermining the legality of the process.
Okodo-Kadiri vowed to seek redress through the judiciary, expressing confidence that the courts would overturn what he described as an illegal and politically motivated impeachment. He pledged to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice is served.
