Oshiomhole: Governor of Edo state

The chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo, Mr Morrison Ogunoroba-Ovia, on Saturday described as “politically motivated,’’ his purported suspension carried out by some councilors in the local government council on Friday.

Ogunoroba-Ovia said the action, which also affected the secretary of the council, Mr Oyomire Idahosa, was a plot by some aggrieved leaders, in collaboration with five lawmakers of the council’s legislature, to stop his second term ambition.

He stated this while briefing newsmen on the crisis rocking the council since Sept. 3.

Ovia South West council boss was suspended by the council’s lawmakers on Thursday over issues bothering on alleged fraud in the council’s internally generated revenue.

The council chairman alleged that the suspension was not only illegal, but that it also did not follow due process, in line with the Edo Local Government Law, 2000, as amended.

According to him, “Section 19 (9) states that the holder of the office (of chairman) under investigation shall not be suspended within the period of the investigation,’’ adding that he is still in charge as the elected chief executive officer of the local governmentcouncil.

He stated that it was unfortunate that “this is the same local government since I assumed office two years and some months ago that has not been found wanting in any way.

“Yet some people want to seize the opportunity to pull it down, despite the glaring developmental strides that cut across all the 10 wards of the council since the past two years and several months of my administration.I want to say clearly that the purported suspension did not follow due process at all and that the councillors do not have the authority under the law to suspend me.

“I make bold to say that you saw the extent of the developmental strides in Ovia South West, that there is no ward you go to that you will not see the presence of my administration.

“Is it schools, health centres, scholarship schemes? All these we have been able to put in place for the good people of Ovia South West local government. We are building a long lasting legacy for our people and because of the unprecedented political growth, as well as my profile, some people see this as an opportunity to want to bring me down.

“Well, I leave everything to God Almighty because God is the one who gives power and He that gave me the opportunity to serve the good people of Ovia South West will not let me down.”

Ogunoroba-Ovia said, “If there is an allegation against me, they are supposed to set up an independent body that they themselves are not supposed to be part of, to investigate the alleged issues”.