Following the huge backlash that greeted the appointment of Dr. Igbinigie Osaheni, as Acting Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council, the Edo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Lucky Eseigbe, has reportedly withdrawn the appointment.
Eseigbe had in a letter dated 3 February, 2025, appointed Osaheni who is the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) of the Council, as the Acting Chairman, following alleged refusal by the Ward Councillors to impeach the elected Chairman, Dr. Tom Obaseki.
The appointment of an alleged ‘stranger’ as boss of the Local Government Council drew the ire of people who see the action as an front against democratic principle.
Besides, the law firm of Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), Counsel to Dr. Obaseki, threatened to institute contempt of court charges against the Commissioner, should he fail to withdraw the appointment letter within 48 hours.
The Senior Advocate in his letter to the Commissioner, described the appointment of Dr Osaheni as “superfluous, insidious, and an affront to the democratic principles of our nation.”
In response to the backlash, Dr. Eseigbe, through a letter signed by Mr. G. O. Igberase, made a retreat, declaring that the controversial letter had been withdrawn.
