A dramatic turn of events unfolded in Edo State on Tuesday as the mace of the Etsako East Legislative Arm was reportedly stolen by suspected thugs.
The mace, a symbol of legislative authority, was taken from the legislative chambers, sparking concerns about the intentions behind the theft.
According to sources, the theft was discovered after a civil servant alerted the embattled chairman, Princess Benedicta Attoh.
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The chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Benjamin Atu, released a statement condemning the act and distancing the councilors from the missing mace.
In a show of solidarity, the ten councilors of the local government reaffirmed their support for Chairman Attoh, stating that any impeachment attempt would be invalid without their backing.
The councilors vowed to obtain a new mace to continue their legislative duties.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Ibrahim Abdulsalim Afoso, described the perpetrators as “assassins of democracy” seeking to undermine the democratic process in Etsako East.
The councilors urged the thieves to return the mace and called on security agencies to investigate the incident and bring the culprits to justice.
This development is the latest in the ongoing saga surrounding the status of local government chairmen in Edo State.
The controversy has sparked debates about the powers of state governors and assemblies to suspend or impeach local government officials