Three months after 17 of the 18 legislative leaders who became acting chairmen of their respective councils defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Monday Okpebholo has rewarded them with brand new SUVs.
Recall that the 17 legislative leaders allegedly backed by the APC government impeached their various democratically elected council chairmen and deputies.
The State House of Assembly had on December 17, 2024 suspended all the elected 18 local government chairmen and their deputies for two months for alleged insubordination and gross misconduct.
The suspension followed a petition to the House by Governor Okpebholo, dated November 16, 2024.
The petition was titled ‘Insubordination and Gross Misconduct by the 18 Local Government Chairmen Over Their Refusal to Submit Financial Records for Scrutiny’.
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Before the expiration of the two months suspension, members of the legislative arms of the various councils impeached the chairmen and deputies, and replaced them with legislative leaders as acting chairmen.
Three months after joining the ruling party, Governor Okpebholo has now rewarded them with brand new SUVs.
Okpebholo said the new SUVs were given to the chairmen to aid effective service delivery.
“I want to thank God for making today possible as chairmen now have the privilege to drive brand new vehicles in the state. New things are beginning to happen in Edo State under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Edo will experience more development even as we compete with Lagos, Abuja, and other states of the federation. The vehicles commissioned today are not for the private use of the local government chairmen but for the development of the people at the grass roots. I will monitor you to ensure the right thing is done.
“I know how much you are receiving in the councils, and we will measure your success rate if it is commensurate with what you are receiving. My administration has not interfered with your funds and resources,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lucky Eseigbe, noted that it was the first time in the history of the state that brand new SUVs are purchased for local government chairmen.
Eseigbe added that the brand new vehicles presented to local government chairmen are to enable them to carry out their responsibilities
Tom Obaseki, the elected chairman of Oredo Local Government Area and his deputy are the only ones that were not impeached by the legislative arm.
However, the affairs of the council is being run by the Head of Local Government Administration, Dr Igbinigie Osaheni.
