By NEFISHETU YAKUBU

Edo House of Assembly has passed a resolution suspending chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local governments in the state for two months for alleged insubordination and gross misconduct.

At plenary on Tuesday, the House also mandated leaders of the legislative arms in the local governments to take over leadership of the respective councils.

The suspension followed a petition written by the Governor, Monday Okpebholo to the House over the refusal of the chairmen to submit their financial records as directed.

Okpebholo had on Dec. 3, 2024, given the council chairmen 48 hours to submit their statements of account from September 2023 to date to the Edo State Assets Verification Committee.

In the letter, the governor described their action as an act of insubordination and gross misconduct and requested the House to look into the matter.

The suspension of the chairmen and the vice chairmen was sequel to a motion moved by Mr Isibor Adeh (APC Esan North East1) and seconded by Donald Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo11)

After the debate, the Speaker, Mr Blessing Agbebaku called for voting on the matter

After voting, 14 members supported the motion for their suspension, six were opposed to the motion while three members refused to either support or oppose the motion. (NAN)