Edo: Condemnation trails inauguration of legislative arm outside LGA headquarters by council chairman

The swearing-in of elected ward councillors for Etsako East Local Government Area took place outside the council's headquarters in Agenebode by council chairman Sunny Ekpeson, generating condemnation and legal concerns. The inauguration, held at a luxury hotel in Benin City, saw Governor Monday Okpebholo swearing in 17 other elected chairmen alongside Ekpeson.

Former lawmaker and legal practitioner Luqman Muhammed argued that the chairman lacks authority to conduct official business outside the council's territorial boundary, describing the action as illegal and ultra-vires. Other lawyers contended that resolutions, bills, and elected officers elected in such a manner could be challenged in court as null and void due to improper procedure.

They emphasized that Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees democratically elected local government councils, and Section 19 of the Edo State Local Government Law 2000 states that the legislative council should sit within the Local Government Area. The legal experts believed any elected councillor or voter in Etsako East could seek court orders to nullify the proceedings, as the only valid situation for an inauguration outside the chambers is when the chambers are inaccessible due to damage, flooding, or security threats—still requiring a council resolution to relocate.

Residents also questioned the financial cost of the event, estimating it to be in the millions. Contact attempts to the chairman and Etsako East Legislative Council were unsuccessful.