In a move stirring political conversations across Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo has presented brand new SUVs to 17 acting local government chairmen—just three months after they defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The beneficiaries, all former legislative leaders, assumed office as acting chairmen after leading the impeachment of their democratically elected council chairmen and deputies. The impeachments followed a suspension ordered by the Edo State House of Assembly on December 17, 2024, acting on a petition from Governor Okpebholo that accused the council heads of gross misconduct and insubordination for refusing to submit financial records for scrutiny.
Before the expiration of the two-month suspension, the legislative arms of 17 local councils, allegedly backed by the state government, removed their PDP-aligned chairmen and deputies. The legislative leaders subsequently assumed office as acting chairmen and formally defected to the APC on March 17, 2025.
Now, three months after the high-profile defections, the Okpebholo administration has handed over brand new SUVs to the acting chairmen—a gesture the governor says is meant to boost effective service delivery at the grassroots.
“I want to thank God for making today possible as chairmen now have the privilege to drive brand new vehicles in the state,” Okpebholo said during the presentation. “These vehicles are not for private use but to enable development across local governments. I will monitor performance closely to ensure public resources are used responsibly.”
The governor also emphasized that his administration has not interfered with council finances and expects measurable impact based on the allocations each council receives.
Commissioner for Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lucky Eseigbe, hailed the occasion as historic, noting it was the first time in Edo’s history that new SUVs were officially procured for local government chairmen.
However, not all councils experienced a change in leadership. DAILY POST gathered that Tom Obaseki, elected chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, and his deputy were not impeached. Yet, governance of the council has reportedly been taken over by Dr. Igbinigie Osaheni, the Head of Local Government Administration.
Political analysts view the SUV gesture as a reward for loyalty, further solidifying the governor’s grip ahead of forthcoming political contests in the state.
Comments