By DADA AYOKHAI
The Ministry of Local Government, Community, and Chieftaincy Affairs, Edo State, has appointed Dr. Igbinigie O. Osaheni as the Acting Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council .
The statement was signed by Hon. Dr. Lucky Eseigbe, the Hon. Commissioner of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Dr Osaheni until his appointment was the Head of the local Administration of the local government, HOLGA,
The appointment of an “appointee” became the state government plan B due to the refusal of elected Councilors in the 12 wards of Oredo to impeach the elected LGA chairman,Dr Tom Obaseki and similarly take over the mantle as the Acting chairman.
This appointment comes in the wake of the suspension of 18 Local Government Chairmen due to allegations of financial misappropriation and insubordination to the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Dr. Osaheni’s appointment takes effect from Tuesday, 17th December 2024, .
The ministry has expressed its confidence in Dr. Osaheni’s ability to steer the affairs of the local government effectively during this period.
In a reaction, the legal firm of Olayiwola Afolabi acting as the solicitor to the elected LGA chairman,Dr Obaseki, said the action of the commissioner for local government in appointing Dr Osaheni as Acting chairman is superfluous, insidious and insulting to the democratic tenets of the country solid democracy.
The Senior Advocate further reminded the commissioner that Dr Obaseki remains the chairman of the local government in line with the existing mandatory injunction granted by Justice Ikponwonba delivered on the 16th and 17th December 2024.
The judgement is also in tandem with the Supreme Court’s judgement granting autonomy to the local governments.
Barrister Olayiwola told the commissioner to withdraw the letter appointing the acting chairman which he described as contemptuous.
Edo Appoints “Outsider’ As Oredo Acting chairman. over refusal of Legislators to impeach Elected Chairman
