Two PDP chairmen, 13 councillors defect to APC
Councillors of Uhunmwonde, Orhionmwon and Owan East local governments in Edo State have impeached the chairmen and vice chairmen as the battle for the souls of the LGs between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) intensifies.
The impeachment of Kenneth Adodo as chairman of Uhunmwonde LGA on Wednesday unexpectedly turned violent, leaving several people injured and property vandalized.
The Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Area, Hon. Edosa Enowoghomenma, and eight councillors including the Leader of the House, Hon. Nosakhare Edobor, as well as the chairman of Owan West Local Government Hon Dickson Ahonsi and five councillors, switched to the APC yesterday apparently to keep their positions.
The impeached Chairman of Esan Central LGA, Paul Iyoha, accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of engineering his impeachment.
Iyoha is the fifth LG chairman sacked by the councilors of their respective councils.
Eghe Ogbemudia, chairperson of Egor LGA; and Frank Osawe, his deputy, were impeached on December 27, 2024.
The state house of assembly had suspended all the chairpersons and their deputies for two months over allegations of misappropriation of funds.
The action of the assembly stemmed from a petition by Governor Okpebholo.
The suspended LG chairmen challenged their removal in court which restored them to their posts.
Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the assembly has no constitutional right to suspend the LG chairmen.
Why we defected to APC –LG chairmen
Ahonsi said his switch and that of his councillors to the PDP was largely on account of the steps taken so far by Governor Okpebholo to develop the state.
They were received by the State Secretary of the party, Engr. Lawrence Okah, and other members of the state executive committee.
He said: “His activities on assumption of office were impressive as he made important appointments, unlike the previous government.
On his part, Enowoghomenma said they decided to join the APC to “work harmoniously with our governor, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State and our very own, our son, we call him Ovia Proper, Mr. Projects Rt. Hon Dennis Idahosa.
“Hon Dennis is not a stranger to all of us; we know him and he is a blessing to Ovia South West.
“As the council chairman, it will do our people, Ovia South West, no good if we do not work in tandem with the deputy governor and the governor of Edo State. Hence we all agreed to come and join him in the APC today and further put our house together to develop our local government.
“I am happy with my other colleagues of the Ovia South West legislative arm to join forces and ensure that there is development in Ovia South West.
“The reason why we are in politics is to ensure that Ovia South West is taken to an enviable height. So we are here today, we are not under duress, we are here to join the ruling party in the state to bring about renewed hope to our people.
“The essence of being in politics is to bring development.”
Okpebholo is brains behind impeachment gale, says Iyoha
Iyoha described his removal as improper as he was not given “a fair hearing before being suspended by the State House of Assembly.”
He claimed the council chiefs were not properly investigated or given the opportunity to defend themselves.
Iyoha said his offence was his political allegiance to the candidate of the PDP in last year’s gubernatorial election, Asue Ighodalo.
His words: “My only offence was standing by my party’s candidate instead of supporting Governor Okpebholo, who hails from the same ward in Esan Central as myself.
“As a loyal member of the PDP, I was duty-bound to support my party’s candidate.
“It is not a crime to work for one’s party. However, the governor has taken my political stance personal and is using his office to punish me.”
Iyoha further alleged that Okpebholo openly vowed that he would not be reinstated as chairman, citing a video purportedly showing Iyoha campaigning against him during the election.
According to him, “the governor told people that I will never return to my position because I opposed him politically. This is unfair and undemocratic.”