Suspected thugs, numbering over 300, yesterday invaded Oredo Local Government Secretariat, causing the Council boss, Hon. Osaro Obazee and other staff to flee to safety.
Unsuccessful attempts by four out of 12-member councillors in Oredo Local Government Legislative arm to forcefully impeach the House Leader, Hon. Monday Oboigba created the ashes for the standoff according to a source at the legislative arm.
The source said the motion of impeachment by the councilor representing Ward 10, Mr. Dan Ize-Iyamu, which was seconded by the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councilor in the assembly, Mr. Monday Okato caused tempers to flare by the supporters who wielded dangerous weapons in front of the complex at the King Sqaure.
It was further gathered that in the heated argument generated by the impeachment move led to the stealing of the mace by the suspected thugs.
A civil servant at the council secretariat, who craved for anonymity said: “I don’t know how to describe what happened here today. It was every man for himself when the hoodlums came. This is because, the council Chairman, Barrister Osaro Obaze also fled the secretariat for fear of being attacked.
“If you look at what is happening now, the chairman is the actual target. The plan was that if they remove the speaker, they will commence impeachment proceedings against him.
“All this crisis still boils down to the recent defection of some All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains to the PDP; and some persons here are of the opinion that their loyalists cannot continue to hold sway since they still owe allegiance to their leaders”.
Chairman of the council, Mr. Osaro Obazee debunked reports that he fled the secretariat stating: “I just stepped out when some persons came to the legislative chamber, but immediately I got wind of it, I came back”.
He also denied that the impeachment saga was targeted at him, stating that “I am an APC member and I am man enough to tell people where I am.
“I thinking what happened was a misunderstanding between members and it has been over-blown by political distracters”, he added.
