Drama In Edo As Oshiomhole Suspends LGA Chairman Minutes After Taking Oath Of Office

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News From The State, Politics Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

From Ignatius Okpara, Benin- City – There was a mild drama in Edo state on Tuesday, as Governor Adams Oshiomhole, announced the suspension of the new Chairman of Etsako West Council Area of the state, Mr Alassa Mohammed, few minutes after he assumed office.

African Examiner reports that Oshiomhole swore- in the chairman the previous day, but immediately announced his suspension, following what he described as Mohammed’s ‘’abominable’’ conduct against the former chairman of the council who died on Saturday.

The governor, disclosed that while the late chairman, Mr Hassan Kadiri, was critically ill at the hospital, Mohammed, who was his vice, sponsored a protest against the late chairman, over his health condition, demanding his sack so that he could take over as chairman of the council.

The late chairman Kadiri, passed on in Auchi, Edo state, and was buried immediately, according to Islamic injunction.

The governor explained that he was constrained to swear in Mohammed, after the death of his boss, because it was statutory, adding, however, that he had to suspend him because his action against the deceased was ”despicable”.

According to Oshiomhole, Mohammed’s action against the late chairman was wicked, unethical and unacceptable as it was wrong for any man to play God and instigate people against a bedridden fellow.

He said that Mohammed’s action was irresponsible and that no civilized government would accept such act, not even out of sentiment.

The governor, added that he had to swear in “the new chairman under the Local Government Amended Act’’ just as he suspended him under the same Act, with immediate effect’’.

Oshiomhole hinted that the government would, as a matter of urgency, set up a committee to investigate the allegations leveled against the suspended new chairman, and if indicted, would remain suspended and face the full wrath of the law.

He further pointed out that it was wrong for anyone to jubilate over the downfall of another, stressing that the suspension would last for not more than two months pending the submission of the report by the panel.

Oshiomhole announced that while Mohammed remained suspended, the new Vice Chairman, Mr Busari Yusuf, also sworn in by him, would act as chairman.

He therefore, directed that Yusuf should perform all duties and responsibilities of an Executive chairman of a local government.