.Allegations are false – govt

By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – THE Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday described as absurd the way elected chairmen and their vice were removed in the name of impeachment which he also said was orchestrated by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Addressing a press conference in Benin City, the chairman, Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi said the governor contravened the 1999 constitution as regards local government administration and flouted the Supreme Court judgment on autonomy for local governments and a ruling by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Okungbowa that the elected chairmen and their vice must be allowed to serve their three years tenure.

Aziegbemi said after efforts by Governor Okpebholo to illegally remove the chairmen failed, he resorted to using councillors illegally.

He said “At least 160 councillors confirmed to us that they did not participate in any impeachment, till date, they could not get anybody in Oredo to claim that they have impeached the chairman there. In some areas, they used one or two councils and it did not take more than two to five minutes for them to announce impeachment because they did not follow the laid down procedure for the impeachment of elected chairmen and their vice. Though the chairmen ran a joint ticket with their vices but their removal ought not to be a joint issue.

He said the current situation is a breach of Section 7 (1) of the 1999 constitution and that nothing is happening in the councils, and any of the council chairmen who attempt to work, is being attacked and humiliated by thugs.

He also alleged that since the illegal suspension of the duly elected chairmen, over N30 billion has been sent to local government councils under the control of the state government which Governor Okpebholo is sharing amongst his party leaders.

Aziegbemie said “There is currently no approved budget in any local council in the State but they have continued to spend money illegally. They don’t follow due process in the execution of contracts, purchase of transformers and organization of events.

“Since this three-month period, the Okpebholo government has unilaterally stopped salaries to the duly democratically elected chairmen, vice chairmen, Secretaries, supervisory Councilors, special advisers and special assistants. This is while there’s a nepotistic and selective payment of salaries to elected loyal councillors across the 18 local councils of the State

“We condemn this in totality and are calling on the House of Assembly to immediately recall these purportedly suspended council chairmen so that governance at the grassroots level can resume peacefully. Currently, nothing is happening in the councils, and any of the chairmen who attempt to work are being attacked and humiliated by thugs hired by Okpebholo.



https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/how-okpebholo-removed-lg-chairmen-vice-in-5-minutes-pdp/