On Monday, suspected thugs shut down the Etsako West Local Government Secretariat in Edo State, leaving Chairman Marvellous Zibiri and his staff stranded and unable to access their offices.
On December 17, 2024, the state House of Assembly suspended the chairmen and vice chairmen of all 18 local government areas for two months after the governor petitioned due to their refusal to submit financial records. The Assembly appointed leaders of the legislative arms to take over the councils during this suspension.
Following the suspension, the chairmen filed a lawsuit, and on December 20, 2024, Justice Efe Ikponmwhonba halted the suspension and reinstated them.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, condemned the situation, stating it contradicted a Supreme Court ruling from July 11, 2024, which granted full autonomy to local governments.
While some chairmen managed to return to their offices after the court ruling, others faced obstruction from suspected thugs when attempting to resume work on December 23, 2024. During a visit to the council secretariat in Auchi on Monday, a group of thugs blocked the main entrance, preventing both the council chairman and his deputy from entering.
Council workers who arrived for duty discovered the secretariat barricaded and were forced to wait outside under trees. A police van was stationed at the entrance, but officers appeared indifferent to the situation.
One anonymous council worker expressed frustration, stating, “We reported for duty this morning only to find the gate locked by suspected thugs. It’s a sad development, and I hope it can be resolved soon. The police are here but seem uninterested in what is happening. It’s a troubling situation.”
