In a ceremony filled with both anticipation and controversy, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State swore in the chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas who were elected in the recent council elections. Despite calls from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to halt the ceremony, Governor Obaseki proceeded with the event.
Governor Obaseki emphasized that these chairmen were carefully selected by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and elected by the people. He expressed confidence in their ability to collaborate with the state government and bring good governance to the grassroots.
Addressing the new chairmen, Obaseki acknowledged the overwhelming support the PDP received during the elections and urged them not to disappoint the people who placed their trust in the party.
He encouraged the chairmen to prioritize the development of their local areas and maintain a clean environment. The governor also promised to work on creating alternative state roads, as federal roads in the region have deteriorated due to a lack of maintenance by the Federal Government.
However, the APC chairman, Col. David Imuse (retd.), contested the legitimacy of the election, claiming that no local government election had taken place in Edo State. He described the process as a “sham” and called on stakeholders, civil society organizations, and the public to demand justice and fairness for the people of Edo State.
The inauguration of the local government chairmen has sparked a political debate in Edo State, with both the ruling PDP and the opposition APC making their voices heard amidst the controversy.