By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The legislative arm of the Egor Local Government Council in Edo State has finally succeeded in impeaching its chairman, Hon. Eghe Ogbemudia and her vice, Hon. Frank Osawe.
They were sacked by the new legislative leadership of the council with Hon. Kelvin Eguakun as Leader.
Recall that Eghe Ogbemudia, the daughter of Osaigbovo Ogbemudia has been having a running battle with the leadership of the house where she was accused of alleged budget padding and other sundry issues.
Hon. Ogbemudia and Hon. Osawe were impeached based on four charges of alleged gross misconduct, namely: Abuse of office, financial misappropriation, unlawful withholding of statutory allowances of a principal member and three other Council members as well as budget padding.
The motion for the impeachment was moved by Hon. Nosakhare Isiegbuwa and seconded by Hon. Stella Ogida Osagioduwa.
The impeachment proceedings were formally documented in the Edo State Government Gazette, notifying the affected officials of the initiation of impeachment proceedings in line with the Edo LG Bye-law on Pro-Action Notices, Legislative Privileges, and Impeachment Procedures For Elected Council Officials, 2024.
The unfolding development highlights the dynamics within Egor LG and underscores the council’s efforts to address alleged misconduct and uphold accountability within its leadership.
This turn of events, involving a council dominated by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), followed the concerns raised among the LG councillors about the leadership of the legislative arm, they accused them of failing to provide effective oversight and of neglecting it’s responsibilities.
Sequel to the impeachment of council chairman and her vice chairman, the legislative council had suspended its leadership, under Hon. Bosede Omokaro (Leader), Hon. Iwinosa Enabulele (Majority Leader), and Hon. Amb. Elliot Inneh Enni (Chief Whip).
The motion for the suspension was passed by five members of the council, with one member absent.
Consequently, the new leadership with Hon. Kelvin Eguakun as Leader acted swiftly upon receiving a signed petition from four Council members calling for the removal of the local government chairman and vice chairman.
Among the critical issues that led to the change of leadership in the council include the legislative leadership’s inability to collaborate effectively with the local government chairmen, particularly in ensuring timely payment of salaries.
Specifically, the two-month delay in councillors salaries was seen as a politically motivated act aimed at coercing members into submission.
Upon resumption of plenary on Friday the 27th of December 2024, the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Kelvin Eguakun informed the House of the report submitted by the 7-man panel appointed to probe the allegations of gross misconduct against the Chairman and Vice Chairman, which found them guilty of all the allegations.
In a unanimous voice vote, the Chairman and Vice Chairman were impeached from office by the Councillors.
Upon a motion by the Deputy Leader and seconded by the Majority Leader, the House resolved that the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Eguakun should be sworn into office by the Clerk of the House as functioning chairman of the council, in an acting capacity.
