Hundreds of youths under the banner of Concerned Edo Youths staged a protest at the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) on Monday, demanding an end to the prolonged suspension of the 18 local government chairmen and their deputies. The protest comes nearly a month after their initial two-month suspension expired.
The chairmen were suspended on December 17, 2024, following a request from Governor Monday Okpebholo, citing their failure to present financial statements dating back to September 2024.
Addressing the assembly, the group’s coordinator, Comrade Joseph Gbale, criticized the state government and the legislature for what he described as an unconstitutional delay, which he claimed had led to panic, illegality, and violence in various councils.
“It is regrettable that both the Edo State Government and the House of Assembly have failed to uphold the rule of law. The prolonged suspension has created instability in our councils,” Gbale stated.
He issued a seven-day ultimatum for the assembly to release the findings of the investigative committee set up to probe the alleged insubordination of the suspended chairmen. He also demanded to know whether the accused officials were given an opportunity to defend themselves in line with the principles of natural justice.
Receiving the protesters on behalf of the assembly’s leadership, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, representing Akoko-Edo I, assured them that their grievances would be deliberated upon.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Lucky Eseigbe, stated that the issue extended beyond the suspension, revealing that several chairmen had initiated legal actions against the state government. He further alleged that some had absconded and refused to respond to security agency invitations over the misappropriation of over N90 billion.
Eseigbe assured that any chairman cleared of wrongdoing would be reinstated accordingly.
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