Suyi Ayodele, Author at Tribune Online

The face-off between the Edo State Government and the chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state has taken a new turn. On Monday, suspected thugs invaded the Etsako West LGA, shutting down its secretariat. Etsako West LGA is the home council of the former governor of the state and senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who is considered the political mentor of Governor Monday Okpebholo. It will be recalled that Oshiomhole had last week endorsed the suspension of the 18 LGAs by Governor Okpebholo, despite a ruling by an Edo State High Court declaring the suspension illegal. The situation escalated on Monday when suspected political thugs took the law into their own hands, seizing control of the Etsako West Council Secretariat in Auchi. This left council workers stranded and unable to access the secretariat. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the invasion of the Etsako West LGA, reminiscent of last week’s invasion of Oredo LGA, is part of a strategy allegedly orchestrated by the state government to prevent the suspended council chairmen from accessing their offices. Etsako West LGA Chairman, Marvellous Zibiri, is one of the 18 LGA chairmen who received relief through the High Court ruling, which ordered that no obstacles should impede their resumption of duties. However, despite this court order—and rather than appealing the judgment—Zibiri, who had earlier issued a press statement announcing his resumption based on the ruling, was physically barred from accessing his office at the council secretariat. The main entrance to the council was blocked by a group of fierce-looking thugs allegedly sympathetic to the state government, determined to prevent the council chairman and his deputy from gaining entry. Council workers who reported for duty were also denied access to the premises as the thugs barricaded the gate. This forced the workers to gather under nearby trees, conversing in hushed tones about the alarming situation while avoiding provocation of the thugs. A police van was stationed at the entrance and outside the council premises. However, the officers from the local police command appeared few in number and indifferent to the unfolding chaos. Many council workers expressed frustration over the police's apparent tacit support for the thugs. They argued that if the police were present to maintain order, they should have dismantled the barricades, dispersed the thugs, and opened the gates to allow workers to resume their duties. A council staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "The inaction of the police strongly supports the notion that their presence is merely to facilitate the illegality of preventing the council chairmen from resuming their roles."