Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Victor Edoror, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly
Chairmen of 17 of the 18 local government areas of Edo state have been directed to hand over the administration of their respective councils to the heads of administration at their respective councils at the expiration of their tenure on April 21, 2016.
The Chairmen were elected into office on April 20, 2013.
The directive which was given on Monday by the Edo State House of Assembly, however excludes Esan North East local government area, following the rerun election that took place in the local government area.
The directive followed the presentation of a constitutional observation moved by the member representing Ovia North-East Constituency 1, Hon. Sunday Osazemwinde, (APC Ovia) and seconded by Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie Elizabeth (APC), of Uhunwode Constituency.
Osazemwinde noted that Sections 10(1) and 18(1) of the local government law 2000, allows for a tenure of three years for chairmen of local government areas.
“The State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) is supposed to have conducted election within 90 days before the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent chairmen.
“It behoves on the parliament to mandate the chairmen to hand over the administration of their respective councils to the Heads of local government administration as it has become clear from all indications that there are no plans to conduct local government elections in the near future,” he said.
The House unanimously adopted the resolution.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, thereafter directed the affected Chairmen to hand over the administration of their Councils to the Heads of local government administration on or before April 21, 2016.
Also, the House has directed the chairman and members of the State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), to appear before it on April 19 to explain why the Commission has not been able to conduct local government elections.
The State commissioners of Finance, Education, Housing and Urban Development and Environment have also been summoned by the house to explain the financial implication of the Edo State University, Iyamo.
