Edo Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Dr Igbinigie Osaheni, as acting Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council in the state.
The new appointee is said to be neither an indigene of Oredo Local Government Area nor a constitutionally elected chairman.
His appointment which is contained in a statement by the State Commissioner for Local Government, Community, and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Lucky Esigbe, it was gathered took effect from Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
The statement expressed the Ministry’s confidence in Dr. Osaheni’s ability to steer the affairs of the Local Government effectively.
Until his appointment, Dr Osaheni was the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) of Oredo LG Council.
A competent source told our Correspondent that his appointment became the State Government’s ‘Plan B’ following refusal by the elected Councilors in the 12 Wards of Oredo LGA to impeach the elected Chairman, Dr Tom Obaseki.
The Nigerian Tribune reports that both the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas of the State were suspended over allegations of financial misappropriation and insubordination to the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
Reacting to Dr Osaheni’s appointment as Acting Chairman of Oredo LG Council, the legal firm of Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), Solicitor to the elected LGA Chairman, Dr Obaseki, described it as superfluous, insidious, and insulting to the democratic tenets of the country solid democracy.
He told the Commissioner to withdraw the letter appointing the Acting Chairman, which he described as contemptuous.
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 December 16 and 17, 2024, which he said is also in tandem with the Supreme Court’s judgement granting autonomy to the Local Governments.
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