The Edo State House of Assembly has temporarily removed the chairmen and vice chairmen of 18 local governments in the state for a period of two months.
The Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution suspending for two months the state’s heads of 18 local government areas.
The House also mandated the leaders of the legislative arms to take over leadership of their respective councils.
The suspension of the council chairmen and their deputies followed a motion moved by the member representing Esan North East I, Mr. Isibor Adeh, and seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency II, Mr. Donald Okogbe.
The state governor, Monday Okpebholo, had written a petition to the House regarding the chairmen’s refusal to submit the financial records of their local governments to the state government.
In the letter, the governor, who described their action as an act of insubordination and gross misconduct, requested the Edo State House of Assembly to look into the matter.
When the matter came up for debate, 14 members supported the motion for their suspension, six opposed the motion, and three members refused to either support or oppose it.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, had earlier directed all members to speak on the matter.
After everyone had spoken, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Yahaya Omogbai, to conduct a headcount of the members who supported or opposed the suspension of the council chairmen and their deputies.
