Egor LGA of Edo state impeaches chairman over alleged N1.7 bn budget padding

By Christiana Ekpa

The Legislative arm of Egor LGA in Edo, on Wednesday, impeached the council Chairman, Eghe Ogbemudia, over alleged padding of the council’s supplementary budget.
Eghe Ogbemudia is the daughter of the late former military governor of the state, Samuel Ogbemudia.
The impeachment was consequent upon a vote of no confidence against the chairman during a session of the legislative arm of the council.
The impeachment sitting was presided over by the leader of the house and councillor, representing Ward 3, Godwin Edigin.
Shortly after a roll call of the legislative house, Mrs Stella Ogida (the councillor representing Ward 2) moved a motion for a no-confidence vote against the chairman over allegations of gross misconduct.
Ms Ogbemudia said, “This is the 10th month since our inauguration, and we, the councillors of Egor Legislative Arm, do not have offices. We have also uncovered the padding of the council’s supplementary budget to the tune of N1.7 billion.
“The Chairman did not involve the councillors in the preparation and approval of the council’s supplementary budget. After reviewing this and many other acts of gross misconduct, I want to pass a vote of no confidence on the chairman.”
Seconding the motion, Elliot Inneh (councillor representing Ward 9) said, “We have tried to reach out to the chairman to no avail. Before us today, we have a budget proposal amounting to N6.054 billion that was passed through this hallowed chamber.
“To our greatest surprise, we found out that the chairman, in connivance with the erstwhile leader of the House, went behind and (allegedly) padded the budget to the tune of N7.896 billion.”
The leader of the house, Godwin Edigin, called for a voice vote, with the majority of councillors conceding to the motion. A motion for impeachment was, therefore, moved and passed.