Barely 48 hours after the conduct of by-elections into 59 wards by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, the acting chairmen in the 18 local government areas have been replaced by councillors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
DAILY POST reports that the acting chairmen were originally elected as councillors in their respective wards on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on September 2, 2023.
The councillors later emerged as acting chairmen following the suspension of the 18 elected local government chairmen and their deputies by the House of Assembly in December 2024.
Upon assuming office as acting chairmen, 17 out of the 18 council members defected from PDP to APC. The only local government whose legislative arm did not defect is Oredo Local Government Area.
DAILY POST further reports that shortly after the presentation of Certificates of Return to the elected APC councillors, the acting chairmen were allegedly compelled to resign to pave the way for the new office holders.
It was gathered that among the acting chairmen who have so far resigned are Solomon Oghuma Emmanuel (Etsako East), Hon Obosa Jolly (Ikpoba Okha), Hon Godsent Agboibo (Esan West), Osas Iredia Benjamin (Uhunmwode), Alabi Bliss Oshionogue (Akoko-Edo), Kelvin Eguakun (Egor), Kelvin Iyere (Esan Central), Paul Uhomesili (Esan North-East), Moses Edoh (Esan South-East), and Cephas Yakubu (Etsako Central).
Others include Henshew Elimihe (Igueben), Evbu Amen Oboh (Oredo), Holga Daniel Osariemen (Orhionmwon), Omoruyi Igbinake (Ovia North East), Nosa Edobor (Ovia South West), Haruna Mohammed (Owan East), Joy Ohunyon (Owan West), and Okwilague Valentine (Etsako West).
Meanwhile, the acting chairmen of Ikpoba Okha and Uhunmwode local governments have been replaced by Sino Eric Osawaru and Augustine Imafidon, respectively.
