Two Local Government Chairmen impeached
Two chairmen in Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon local government areas of Edo State have been impeached by their councillors.
The events were marked by accusations of violence, illegal actions, and political interference.
A similar situation also unfolded in Owan East, where the chairman and his deputy faced what they described as an unconstitutional impeachment process.
In Uhunmwonde, the impeachment process turned violent as armed men attacked bystanders, leaving several people injured.
The council chairman, Kenneth Adodo, accused the attackers of being policemen sent from the government house.
In Orhionmwon, the councillors impeached the Leader of the House, Daniel Osariemen, on Wednesday.
They claimed Osariemen was working to remove the council chairman, Newman Ugiagbe, and his vice, Midwest Ogbebor.
Following his impeachment, Osariemen allegedly led unknown persons to take over the council secretariat in Abudu.
He reportedly resumed work there as the acting chairman, but Ugiagbe dismissed his actions as illegal.
In Owan East, the chairman, Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri, and his vice, Clement Ojebuovbo, were also impeached.
Okodo rejected the impeachment, calling it unlawful and saying it did not follow proper procedures.
He argued that the law requires a seven-member investigative panel to handle such cases, but no panel was formed. He also claimed he was not given a chance to defend himself.
Okodo further pointed out that the mace used during the impeachment was not the official one for the Owan East Council, which he said made the process invalid
He accused two suspended councillors of being part of the impeachment, even though they had not been reinstated officially.
The chairman also responded to allegations from the state governor that council chairmen misused ₦50 million meant for salaries.
Okodo said these claims were false, explaining that monthly salary expenses in most councils are higher than ₦50 million.
He added that all salaries had been paid up to November and that bank records showed no mismanagement of funds.
Okodo described the impeachment as politically motivated and vowed to take legal action.
He expressed confidence that the court would overturn the decision and restore his position.
