The Edo State House of Assembly has issued a two-month suspension on the chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 Local Government Councils of the State.
The suspension order issued on Tuesday was sequel to a petition by the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, over refusal of the chairmen to submit the financial records of their local government councils to the state government.
The Governor in his petition, described their action as an act of insubordination and gross misconduct.
He therefore requested the lawmakers to look into the alleged insubordination.
When the matter came up for debate, the member representing Esan North East 1, Mr Isibor Adeh, moved the motion for the suspension and seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo 2, Mr Donald Okogbe.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, had earlier insisted that all the members must speak on the matter.
After they had all spoken, the speaker directed the clerk of the House, Mr Yahaya Omogbai, to do a head count of the members who supported or opposed the suspension of the council’s chairmen and their deputies.
Fourteen members supported the motion for the suspension, six opposed the motion while three members refused to either support or oppose the motion.
Meanwhile, the House has mandated leaders of the legislative arms to take over leadership of their respective councils.
It would be recalled that the Governor had on Tuesday, 3 December, directed the chairmen of the 18 Local Government Councils to submit their account statements for the period of 4 September, 2023 till date, within 48 hours, to the Assets Verification Committee via the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
He gave the directive during a meeting with the council chairmen at the Government House in Benin City, where he was represented by his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa.
The account statements were to cover the period from 4th September 2023 to the present, are to be submitted
