By DADA AYOKHAl
The Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Hon. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson, has come under heavy criticism from his constituents over his persistent abandonment of official duties in pursuit of political activities.
The chairman is reportedly in Abuja to joined key leaders of the City Boy Movement at the Presidential Villa, , in what was described as a strategic meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Hon. Ekpeson serves as Deputy Director of the City Boy Movement in Edo State and also as Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen in Edo State, ALGON.
Political critics have expressed concern over how a council chairman can effectively combine two demanding appointments with his elected office.
They alleged that the dual roles have made him take refuge in Benin, from where he now administers the council, instead of operating from the council headquarters in Agenebode.
His alleged failure in office reportedly manifested shortly after his swearing-in when he had to meet with councillors in Benin rather than in Agenebode.
The situation came to the fore again during Governor Monday Okpebholo’s tour of Edo North to campaign for President Bola Tinubu, when residents of Etsako East LGA, precisely in Agenebode, openly expressed displeasure with the All Progressives Congress, APC, a development that embarrassed the governor.
According to sources, the major complaint of the people was the chairman’s absenteeism from the local government, which they said has affected performance and service delivery.
Analysts argue that it is illogical and administratively improper for a sitting local government chairman, who holds a full-time constitutional mandate, to accept partisan appointments that compete with his primary responsibility to the electorate.
Such dual roles, they contend, create conflict of interest and divide loyalty.
They further noted that local government administration demands physical presence, community engagement and daily supervision of council activities, which cannot be effectively discharged from Benin while juggling the responsibilities of ALGON leadership and a political movement.
Observers maintain that if political engagements are allowed to take precedence over governance, it sets a dangerous precedent where elected officials abandon their duty posts for patronage politics, ultimately undermining grassroots development and accountability at the local level.
Etsako East Chairman Abandons Council For City Boy Movement Event
By DADA AYOKHAl
The Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Hon. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson, has come under heavy criticism from his constituents over his persistent abandonment of official duties in pursuit of political activities.
The chairman is reportedly in Abuja to joined key leaders of the City Boy Movement at the Presidential Villa, , in what was described as a strategic meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Hon. Ekpeson serves as Deputy Director of the City Boy Movement in Edo State and also as Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen in Edo State, ALGON.
Political critics have expressed concern over how a council chairman can effectively combine two demanding appointments with his elected office.
They alleged that the dual roles have made him take refuge in Benin, from where he now administers the council, instead of operating from the council headquarters in Agenebode.
His alleged failure in office reportedly manifested shortly after his swearing-in when he had to meet with councillors in Benin rather than in Agenebode.
The situation came to the fore again during Governor Monday Okpebholo’s tour of Edo North to campaign for President Bola Tinubu, when residents of Etsako East LGA, precisely in Agenebode, openly expressed displeasure with the All Progressives Congress, APC, a development that embarrassed the governor.
According to sources, the major complaint of the people was the chairman’s absenteeism from the local government, which they said has affected performance and service delivery.
Analysts argue that it is illogical and administratively improper for a sitting local government chairman, who holds a full-time constitutional mandate, to accept partisan appointments that compete with his primary responsibility to the electorate.
Such dual roles, they contend, create conflict of interest and divide loyalty.
They further noted that local government administration demands physical presence, community engagement and daily supervision of council activities, which cannot be effectively discharged from Benin while juggling the responsibilities of ALGON leadership and a political movement.
Observers maintain that if political engagements are allowed to take precedence over governance, it sets a dangerous precedent where elected officials abandon their duty posts for patronage politics, ultimately undermining grassroots development and accountability at the local level.
