. . More face a doubtful future
By Andy Asemota
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the State House of Assembly’s commitment to anti- corruption crusade has opened a vista of opportunities for the local governments in the state to sanitize their councils governance.
The crusade has kicked off to a good start following the impeachment of no fewer than three of the 18 local government chairmen in the state by their legislative councils in the last six days.
Egor Local Government took the lead last Friday afternoon followed by Owan East Local Government on Monday and Uhunmwode LG on Tuesday.
Continuity has become tricky, if not difficult for Edo Local Government chairmen, who were suspended for two months by the State House of Assembly on December 17, 2024, for insubordination and alleged corruption, following the petition of Governor Okpebholo to the state law makers.
ABC NEWS gathered that the level of corruption and impunity in some of the Councils in the state is so frightening but the vice was ignored during the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
However, a surprise petition from Governor Okpebholo has emboldened the councillors, even as the embattled chairmen run from pillar to post to persuade the leaders of the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the legislative arms of their councils to commit to the continuity of their beleaguered tenure in office.
Meanwhile, ex-governor of the state and senator representing Edo North in the National Assembly, Adams Oshiomhole, among other key stakeholders in the state, had thrown their weights behind the anti-corruption drive, saying it’s a welcome development in local government administration, particularly when the funds of the councils often found their way into private pockets of some big wigs of the opposition party instead being used judiciously for meaningful development at the grassroots.
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