Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has alleged that the 18 suspended local government chairmen diverted and funneled approximately N12 billion to leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over a 15-month period.
The claim, was swiftly denied by Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee.
Aziegbemi challenged the governor to provide evidence to support the accusation and called for the matter to be referred to the state’s anti-corruption agency.
He also urged the state governor to as a matter of urgency refrain from taking unilateral actions.
The controversy, as observed by WorldClass247News, stems from a December 17, 2024, resolution by the Edo State House of Assembly, which suspended the chairmen and vice-chairmen of all 18 local government areas.
The suspension was prompted by a petition from the governor, who accused the council leaders of refusing to submit financial records to the state government.
In response, the suspended chairmen took legal action, resulting in a Federal High Court in Abuja ordering a maintenance of the status quo until the case is resolved.
Despite the court’s ruling, legislative leaders in some councils have assumed executive functions following the impeachment of certain chairmen.
Amid the political turmoil, two of the suspended chairmen were noticed to have dumped the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.