Tension has gripped the administrative headquarters of Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA), Agenebode, in Edo State, following the theft of the legislative mace from the local council chamber on Tuesday.
The incident has raised concerns about a potential political crisis, with allegations that the stolen mace was intended to facilitate an impeachment plot against the council chairman, Benedicta Attoh.
The theft occurred amidst growing unrest within the local government, with 10 councillors publicly reaffirming their support for Attoh.
Sources suggest that the act of stealing the mace is linked to an attempt to impeach her, stoking fears of an impending disruption of democratic proceedings.
Ibrahim Afoso, the Majority Leader of the legislative arm, strongly condemned the theft, calling the perpetrators “democratic assassins.”
Afoso reiterated the council’s support for Attoh, emphasizing that any impeachment efforts would not succeed, as they did not come from the duly elected councillors.
He stated, “We stand firmly with the council chairman, Hon. Benedicta Attoh. She is the legitimate Executive Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council, and any impeachment attempt from any source is illegitimate.”
Afoso also called for the immediate return of the stolen mace and urged security agencies to investigate the crime.
He reassured the public, saying, “We are committed to safeguarding democracy, and we will not allow lawlessness to prevail in this council.”
This incident comes at a time of heightened political tension in Edo State following the recent suspension of the chairmen and vice-chairmen of all 18 local government councils by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Observers fear the mace theft could further destabilize the local government and deepen the ongoing political crisis.
At the time of reporting, efforts to reach Governor Okpebholo’s office for a comment on the incident were unsuccessful.
