The Edo State House of Assembly has suspended all 18 local government chairpersons and their deputies for two months over allegations of misconduct and refusal to cooperate with the state government.
The decision came following a petition from Governor Monday Okpebholo, who accused the council leaders of insubordination for failing to submit their financial records for review.
The governor had earlier this month issued a directive mandating the chairpersons to present financial statements covering September 2023 to date, with a 48-hour deadline.
However, their failure to comply prompted the Assembly to take action. During a plenary session, lawmakers deliberated on the matter, after which 14 members voted in favor of the suspension, six opposed it, and three abstained.
Speaker Blessing Agbebaku directed the Clerk of the Assembly to confirm the vote count before the suspension was upheld.
In the interim, legislative leaders in each council area have been tasked with managing operations until the suspension is lifted.