The Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area in Edo State, Oshionogue, has been removed from office following his impeachment by members of the council’s legislative arm. The action marks a major escalation in the leadership crisis rocking the local government.

The impeachment was conveyed in a letter signed by seven councillors on Wednesday. The move came shortly after a planned peace meeting between the chairman and the aggrieved councillors failed to take place at the Edo State House of Assembly. Following the collapse of the meeting, the councillors reportedly returned to Igarra, the local government headquarters, where they formally carried out the impeachment.

In the letter, the lawmakers accused Oshionogue of several offences, including abuse of office, high-handedness, alleged embezzlement of council funds, financial recklessness, forgery, anti-party activities and repeated disobedience to constituted authorities. They stated that the impeachment took effect immediately, bringing his tenure as acting chairman to an end.

Meanwhile, a video that has gone viral on social media shows the dramatic moment the impeached chairman was escorted out of the council premises by onlookers. The development has continued to generate reactions within Akoko-Edo and across Edo State, as residents await further official response from state authorities.