Group urges Tinubu to enforce LG autonomy to avert crisis in Edo
Following the condemnation that trailed the appointment of Dr Osaheni Igbinigie as the Acting Chairman of the Oredo Local Council, the Edo State government, yesterday, withdrew its earlier letter of appointment to Igbinigie.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Lucky Eseigbe, had appointed an Acting Chairman for Oredo Local Council in a letter dated February 3, 2025.

However, the appointment sparked outrage, as critics described the appointment as a violation of democratic principles. Faced with mounting backlash, Eseigbe made a U-turn.

In a letter signed by Mr G. O. Igberase, the Commissioner formally rescinds the contentious appointment.

In addition, legal counsel to the Chairman of the Oredo Council, Olayiwola Afolabi, issued a stern warning to the Commissioner, threatening to initiate contempt proceedings if the appointment was not rescinded within 48 hours.

In a strongly worded letter, the senior advocate described the appointment as “superfluous, insidious, and an affront to the democratic principles of our nation.”

Some stakeholders, including Oseye Imudia, said that the state government’s withdrawal of Igbinigie’s appointment is a significant development that indicates that the executive arm of the government has acknowledged its limitations in interfering with local council operations.

He added that the withdrawal also implies that the government’s actions since December 2024 may have been illegitimate, as it’s essential to recognise that local council autonomy is a fundamental principle of democratic governance.

https://guardian.ng/politics/edo-govt-rescinds-appointment-of-oredo-council-chairman/