The controversy surrounding the status of local government chairmen in Edo State deepened on Tuesday as suspected thugs allegedly stole the mace of the Etsako East Legislative Arm and took it to an undisclosed location.
Reports indicate that the suspects stormed the legislative chambers and made away with the ceremonial symbol of authority.
According to Vanguard, an aide to the embattled chairman, Princess Benedicta Attoh, said, “It was a civil servant that called to tell us what happened.”
Princess Attoh’s Chief Press Secretary, Benjamin Atu, issued a statement asserting that all ten councillors of the local government had dissociated themselves from the theft of the mace. They expressed concerns that the stolen mace might be used to orchestrate an illegal impeachment of the chairman.
The councillors, led by the Majority Leader, Hon. Ibrahim Abdulsalim Afoso, condemned the act, labelling the perpetrators as “assassins of democracy.” They vowed to procure a new mace to ensure legislative proceedings continue uninterrupted.
“We reaffirmed our unwavering support for the council Chairman, Hon. (Princess) Benedicta Attoh,” the statement read. “We are standing with her and by her. Any impeachment from any quarter can’t stand because it’s not coming from the elected councillors. Hon. Benedicta Attoh is the Executive Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council, and it will remain so.”
The councillors expressed their outrage over the incident and urged law enforcement agencies to investigate and apprehend those responsible for the theft.
“We have just received reports that the legislative mace of the Etsako East Local Government Council has been stolen by unknown persons. We condemn this act and disassociate ourselves from this blatant display of desperation and lawlessness.
“We urge the perpetrators of the theft to return the mace immediately and call on the security agencies to investigate this incident and bring the culprits to justice,” the councillors stated.
The councillors reiterated their support for Princess Attoh, emphasising her leadership and vision for the local government council.
The theft of the mace adds another layer of tension to the ongoing drama in Etsako East, as stakeholders watch closely for developments regarding the leadership and governance of the local government area.
