Ehor, the Administrative headquarters of Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State erupted into violence and destruction with sporadic shootings following the Impeachment of the Leader of the Legislative Arm of the Council, Hon. Benjamin Osa Iredia.
The ensuing clash between those opposing and others defending the action amid booming gun shots left many council staff injured while several properties were also destroyed.
It was learnt that some of the gun-wielding hoodlums believed to be behind the sporadic shootings, also used the chaotic situation to cart away council’s property.
The clash in the council area followed the botched bid to install Benjamin Osa Iredia as the new acting Council Chairman, an action being replicated across the local governments in the state despite being challenged by the elected chairmen.
A source said that It was the bid to prevent Iredia from being installed as the acting council chairman that informed the decision to impeach/remove him as Leader of the Legislative Arm.
Reacting, the Chairman of the Council, Hon. Kenneth Adodo, accused Iredia of orchestrating the attack which he said was aided by the power that be in an attempt to forcefully remove him as the elected chairman of the council.
Adodo who described the incident as a “brazen attack” on the council, urged the authorities to investigate it and bring the culprits to book.
The chairman also accused former Education Commissioner, Hon. Washington Osifo, of involvement in the assault that left some staff of the local government injured.
But Washington Osifo has distanced
himself from the crisis, insisting that the chairman has been impeached by the legislative Arm of the council over alleged financial mismanagement.
Osifo said he should be left out of the issue and couldn’t be part of an impeachment process of a party he is not a member.
Osifo expressed disappointment concerning Adodo, who he claimed was his personal aide when he served as a commissioner for Education.
According to him, the chairman was reportedly impeached over alleged finance – related matters.
He urged him to be focused on defending the petition and allegations against him which he claimed are with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Daily Crucible reports that Governor Monday Okpebholo had on December 17, 2024, requested the sack of the 18 Council’s Chairmen where he cited
insubordination and gross misconduct as reasons for the decision while also requesting the House of Assembly to look into the matter.
In a plenary, the Edo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed a resolution suspending chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils for two months, a development that met wide condemnations.
