The Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Council, Hon. Alabi Oshionogue, has been removed from office following an impeachment carried out by seven of the ten councillors in the council.
Oshionogue’s removal was formalised through an impeachment notice endorsed and signed by the seven councillors, marking a decisive break within the legislative arm of the local government.
Following the action, the Vice Chairman of the council, Hon. Ayodele Fatimbi, was immediately sworn in to assume leadership as the new chairman of the local government.
In the impeachment letter, the councillors stated, “We, the undersigned members of Akoko Edo Local Government Area Legislative Arm, hereby impeach you as the acting Local Government Council Chairman with effect from today, the 28th January, 2026.
“This decision is as a result of your abuse of office, high-handedness, embezzlement of Council funds, Anti-party activities, financial recklessness, forgery, and constant disobedience to constituted authorities”.
Those who endorsed the impeachment were councillors representing wards one, four, six, eight, nine, and ten within the local government area.
Reacting to the development, Oshionogue rejected the allegations leveled against him, insisting that he had committed no offence and pointing to ongoing development projects across all 10 wards of Akoko-Edo Local Government as evidence of his performance in office.
Reports indicate that the impeachment occurred just hours after members of the Edo State House of Assembly were unable to broker peace between the chairman and the seven dissatisfied councillors during a mediation effort.
It was further gathered that the situation escalated after an unsuccessful move by the remaining three councillors to suspend the seven lawmakers who eventually signed the impeachment notice.
After that effort failed, the seven councillors reportedly proceeded to the Akoko-Edo Local Government headquarters in Igarra, where they formally issued and served the impeachment letter, sealing Oshionogue’s removal from office.
What you should know
The impeachment of Hon. Alabi Oshionogue highlights deep political divisions within Akoko-Edo Local Government Council.
Seven councillors accused the former chairman of multiple offences, including financial misconduct and abuse of office, leading to his removal and the swearing-in of his deputy, Hon. Ayodele Fatimbi. Oshionogue has denied the allegations, citing ongoing projects across the council’s wards.
The crisis followed failed reconciliation efforts by the Edo State House of Assembly and an unsuccessful attempt by three councillors to suspend the seven lawmakers, underscoring internal power struggles within the council.
