Chaos in Edo: Thugs Block Access to Local Government Secretariat, Stranding Workers and Leadership
By Abdulmajeed Abdullateef
In a disturbing turn of events, suspected thugs on Monday took control of the Etsako West Local Government Secretariat in Edo State, preventing the chairman, Marvellous Zibiri, and his staff from accessing their offices. This disruption comes amid a turbulent political climate following the suspension of local government chairmen across Edo State.
On December 17, 2024, the state House of Assembly suspended all 18 local government chairmen and their deputies for failing to submit financial records. This suspension followed a petition from the governor and mandated that legislative leaders take over council leadership temporarily. However, the chairmen challenged this suspension in court, and by December 20, 2024, a judge ruled in their favor, reinstating them.
Despite the court’s decision, several chairmen faced resistance when attempting to return to their duties. On December 23, 2024, suspected thugs blocked their efforts, with the situation escalating further on Monday as the main entrance of the Auchi council secretariat was barricaded, leaving workers stranded.
Workers arriving for their shifts were met with the gate locked, and many were forced to wait outside under trees as the building remained off-limits. A police van was spotted near the scene, but according to one anonymous council worker, the police seemed uninterested and passive in the face of the unfolding crisis. “It is a sad development, and I hope it can be resolved soon,” the worker shared.
Attempts to contact Chairman Marvellous Zibiri for comment on the situation were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls.
The ongoing unrest in the council has raised concerns about the state’s handling of local government autonomy, especially after a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year reaffirmed the right of local councils to function independently. The situation remains unresolved, and many are calling for immediate intervention to restore order and ensure that the leadership of the council can resume its duties.
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