Edo State House of Assembly passed a motion on Tuesday suspending the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the 18 local government councils for two months.
The House also directed that the heads of the legislative arms take up leadership of their councils. The council chairman and their deputies were suspended following a motion proposed by Isibor Adeh, member of Esan North East 1, and seconded by Mr Donald Okogbe, member of Akoko-Edo 2.
The state governor, Monday Okpebholo, had previously petitioned the House regarding the chairmen’s unwillingness to give financial records of their local government to the state government. In the letter, Okpebholo described their actions as insubordination and serious misconduct, and asked the House to investigate.
When the topic came up for debate, 14 members supported the motion for their suspension, six opposed it, and three refused to support or oppose it. Blessing Agbebaku, the speaker of the House, instructed the members that they all speak on the topic.
Agbebaku said, “I will implore that all members of the house speak on this matter before a decision is taken.”
