Dr. Tom Obaseki, the suspended Chairman of Oredo Local Government, has announced his intention to contest the recent appointment of Igbinigie Osaheni as acting chairman, despite a court ruling that overturned his suspension.
Obaseki condemned the actions leading to Osaheni’s appointment as “superfluous, insidious, and an insult to the fundamental principles of our democracy.” He has instructed his legal team to pursue action against Dr. Lucky Eseigbe, the Edo Commissioner for Local Government, for proceeding with the appointment.
Obaseki’s legal representatives, Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN) & Co., claim that the commissioner’s move undermines democratic values. They emphasize that, according to a mandatory court injunction issued by Justice Ikponwonba on December 16 and 20, 2024, Obaseki remains the rightful chairman of the council.
The solicitors demanded that Commissioner Eseigbe formally retract Osaheni’s appointment within 24 hours, warning that failure to comply could result in a contempt of court charge. “We await your retraction and immediate apology,” they stated, urging the commissioner to avoid becoming an agent of illegality.
The situation arises in the context of a broader suspension of 18 local government chairmen by the state assembly, which cited allegations of financial misappropriation and insubordination. However, Obaseki’s legal team maintains that he continues to fulfill his duties as the local government chairman.
In a pointed remark, Afolabi criticized the commissioner, a fellow lawyer, for failing to uphold legal standards. “Your loyalty should be first to uphold the highest standard of the legal profession. You are required to respect judicial orders and not to be found disrespecting the same contemptuously,” he asserted.
