The political crisis rocking Bomadi Local Government Council has further deepened, with no end in sight to an amicable resolution, as the 15 Councillors have outrightly rejected a proposal by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, calling for the reinstatement of the ousted leaders of the Bomadi Legislative Arm and the withdrawal of their petition before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
A highly placed source disclosed that the 15 Councillors were infuriated by what they described as threats of arrest and imprisonment allegedly issued by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and the Director of Protocol, Chief Onoriode Sunday.
The controversial meeting, held at the Event Centre in Asaba, was attended by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; the Director of Protocol, Chief Onoriode Sunday, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Kelly Penawou; the Economic Adviser to the State Government, Dr. Barry Pere Gbe,ALGON Chairman and Okpe Council Boss, Hon.Isaiah Esiovwa, Hon. Dagidi Andaye, Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, and both factions of Councillors.
According to the source, the Speaker and the Director of Protocol allegedly threatened the Councillors with severe consequences should they fail to reinstate the impeached leader and principal officers of the Bomadi Legislative Arm, insisting they must comply with what was described as a “directive of the state government.”
The Councillors were also reportedly pressured to withdraw their petition already submitted to the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, which alleges financial impropriety against the Bomadi Council Chairman, Hon. Dagidi Andaye, over an alleged fraudulent and unapproved ₦800 million loan obtained from a commercial bank.
Sources further revealed that the Councillors were particularly shocked that throughout the meeting, no attempt was made to address or explain the alleged ₦800 million unapproved loan, an issue they insist remains the major bone of contention and the root of the political disagreement between the Council Chairman and 15 out of the 20 Councillors.
A Bomadi-based politician, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the development as “sad and disturbing,” lamenting that a petition signed by 15 Councillors alleging serious financial infractions against the Council Chairman,Hon.Dagidi Andaye appeared to be deliberately swept under the carpet.
He criticized the Speaker for allegedly seeking a backdoor settlement rather than allowing due legislative and investigative processes to run their full course, stressing that the Speaker ought to serve as a “legislative gatekeeper” of democratic norms, transparency, and accountability.
More troubling, he added, is the alleged resort to threats and intimidation, including claims that the Speaker boasted he could direct the Commissioner of Police to arrest the Councillors and have them remanded at the Warri Correctional Centre.
“What interest is being protected by remaining silent on the illegal ₦800 million loan allegedly collected by Hon. Dagidi Andaye,” the source queried, “while elected Councillors are being threatened to abandon lawful legislative decisions and oversight responsibilities?”
Bomadi Councillors Reject Speaker’s Proposal, Allege Threats and Intimidation As Crisis Deepens
