• Group urges Tinubu to enforce LG autonomy to avert crisis in Edo
Following the condemnation that trailed the appointment of Dr Osaheni Igbinigie as the Acting Chairman of the Oredo Local Council, the Edo State government, yesterday, withdrew its earlier letter of appointment to Igbinigie.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Lucky Eseigbe, had appointed an Acting Chairman for Oredo Local Council in a letter dated February 3, 2025.
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However, the appointment sparked outrage, as critics described the appointment as a violation of democratic principles. Faced with mounting backlash, Eseigbe made a U-turn.

In a letter signed by Mr G. O. Igberase, the Commissioner formally rescinds the contentious appointment.

In addition, legal counsel to the Chairman of the Oredo Council, Olayiwola Afolabi, issued a stern warning to the Commissioner, threatening to initiate contempt proceedings if the appointment was not rescinded within 48 hours.

In a strongly worded letter, the senior advocate described the appointment as “superfluous, insidious, and an affront to the democratic principles of our nation.”

Some stakeholders, including Oseye Imudia, said that the state government’s withdrawal of Igbinigie’s appointment is a significant development that indicates that the executive arm of the government has acknowledged its limitations in interfering with local council operations.

He added that the withdrawal also implies that the government’s actions since December 2024 may have been illegitimate, as it’s essential to recognise that local council autonomy is a fundamental principle of democratic governance.
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Meanwhile, a group, Edo Odion Movement, yesterday, called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately correct and direct the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to implement and enforce local council autonomy in Edo State in line with the constitutional provisions to forestall any constitutional crisis in the state.

The group also disclosed that using finance as a tool for political coercion undermines democracy, weakens local governance, and erodes public trust in the political system.

This is contained in a statement signed by the convener of the Edo Odion Movement, Dr Oseye Imudia, and made available to newsmen in Benin amid the local council chairmen’s impasse in the state.

Imudia, who cited the landmark Supreme Court judgement of July 2024 and several enrolled orders of Edo State High Court in Benin City on November 11, 2024, December 16 and December 20, 2024, said it is disturbing that the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in the 18 local councils in Edo have reportedly denied salaries and emoluments to over 300 legitimately elected and appointed local council officials.

He alleged that over 150 councillors have also been affected by the deliberate political witch-hunt, allegedly orchestrated under the Okpebholo-led administration.
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