The embattled chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area (LGA) in Edo State, Hon. Paul Iyoha, has accused the state’s governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, of orchestrating his impeachment due to his support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, in the September 2024 elections.
Addressing journalists in Benin City on January 2, 2025, Iyoha described his removal from office as a politically motivated act, suggesting that his stance during the election had become his “sin” in the eyes of the state’s leadership. According to him, the events leading to his suspension lacked transparency and fairness, with neither he nor any of the other local government chairmen in the state being given a fair hearing before the suspension was enacted by the Edo State House of Assembly.
“It is clear to me now that this impeachment is not about governance; it is about my political alignment,” said Iyoha, who has been a staunch supporter of Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the PDP’s candidate. He claimed that his decision to back Ighodalo, rather than Governor Okpebholo, had led to retribution, suggesting that his political loyalty was being punished.
“The governor has taken my political stance personally. I was only supporting my party’s candidate, which is my right. It is not a crime to stand by your party, but now I am being made to pay for that,” Iyoha added.
Iyoha’s claims are underpinned by what he described as a “vindictive” approach by the governor, who he said vowed publicly that Iyoha would never return to office as long as he continued to oppose him. “There is a video where the governor said I would never return to my position. This is clearly a case of political vendetta,” Iyoha said.
While the controversy surrounding his impeachment has been widely discussed, it is not the first time political allegiances have played a role in the state’s governance. Edo State has seen tensions between political figures from different parties, particularly after the 2024 governorship election. However, it is Iyoha’s personal experience of alleged political retribution that has raised new concerns about the use of office for political purposes in the state.
The Esan Central LGA chairman maintained that his tenure had been marked by good governance, with a focus on fulfilling his responsibilities toward the people. He pointed out that he had ensured that salaries and allowances for councillors and staff were paid on time. However, he insisted that his political alignment had become the sole focus of the state’s leadership.
“I was doing my job well,” Iyoha emphasized. “But my loyalty to my party candidate, Asue Ighodalo, made me a target. This is about politics, not governance.”
According to Iyoha, the pressure started escalating in the lead-up to the Edo State gubernatorial elections, where he found himself at odds with the state government’s expectations. “The governor is from my ward, and yet I was expected to support his opponent. This was not about public service; it was a battle for political survival.”
Iyoha’s support for Ighodalo, he claimed, led to threats and intimidation. He shared his distress over personal attacks during the election campaign, which he believes were aimed at silencing dissent and ensuring political dominance. “My residence was attacked; my brother was abducted. I received constant threats on my life,” he said, visibly emotional. “These are the lengths to which they went to stifle opposition.”
Despite these pressures, Iyoha revealed that he attended the governor’s inauguration as a sign of respect for the office, but added that he felt betrayed by the governor’s subsequent actions.
“I went to the inauguration, and I even sent a congratulatory message because I believe in respecting the office of the governor, regardless of our political differences,” he remarked. “But what followed was an unjust and undemocratic treatment of my person.”
One of the most concerning aspects of the situation, according to Iyoha, is the politicization of governance in Edo State. He argued that officials are now using government positions to punish those who do not align with the prevailing political narrative.
“This is not how a democracy works,” he lamented. “Governance should not be about who you support politically. But here, it has become clear that your political affiliation is what determines whether or not you get to keep your position.”
As for his future, Iyoha expressed confidence that justice would prevail. He revealed that he plans to challenge the impeachment in court, asserting that his rights as a local government chairman were violated.
“I am confident that the law will take its course. The process that led to my suspension was flawed, and I believe the court will see that,” he said.
Iyoha’s case adds to a growing list of politically charged disputes in the state. There are increasing concerns about the role of party loyalty in determining political stability, especially as Edo State’s political scene becomes more polarized. Critics argue that such actions undermine the trust citizens place in elected officials, as governance becomes intertwined with partisan interests.
The Esan Central LGA chairman’s experience speaks to a broader issue of political persecution in Nigeria, where politicians frequently face punishment for standing by their political convictions, especially when their stance diverges from that of the ruling party.
It remains to be seen how the Edo State government will respond to these serious allegations. What is clear, however, is that the political landscape in the state is becoming increasingly fraught with tension, and the implications for local governance are far-reaching.
For now, Hon. Paul Iyoha is bracing himself for a legal battle, hoping to restore his reputation and, perhaps more importantly, set a precedent for protecting political autonomy in the face of party-driven adversity.
