Adekunbi Ero
As campaigns for the July 11, 2026 local government elections intensify in Edo state, the senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Joseph Ikpea, has cautioned those that would be elected as chairmen against corruption so as not to incur the wrath of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Ikpea also advised them to leverage the full autonomy being enjoyed by local government council chairmen to bring development to the grassroots.
The senator, who gave the advice at the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo Central Senatorial District campaign flag-off for the July 11, 2026 local government elections, reminded them that while local government councils enjoy full autonomy, the chairmen have no immunity from arrest and prosecution by anti-graft agencies like governors.
Addressing the APC local government chairmanship candidates, Senator Ikpea counselled: “Once you are elected and resume office, you should be prudent. That is really the major thing; be prudent. Once you are prudent and ensure that what comes is not made for your pocket, it is for you to develop your local government, then you will be fine because by time you feel it is your money and you do the wrong thing, EFCC is there to invite you.
“You have autonomy now, but you do not have immunity like the governor. Know that as a council chairman, you can be invited by EFCC anytime even while in the office. So, my advice for you is that you should be very prudent.”
The senator, who noted that Governor Monday Okebholo was doing so much for the people of the state, charged the would-be local government chairmen to replicate what the state government is doing in the various local government areas.
On his activities in the senate, Ikpea said he would ensure that all the inputs of the governor before he was elected to represent Edo Central were implemented in addition to the ones he was already initiating.
Ikpea added that as the Senate Committee Chairman on Drugs and Narcotics, he would continue to embark on campaigns against drugs and substance abuse as well as create empowerment programmes and jobs for the youths in the senatorial district to complement the state government’s efforts.
Ikpea noted that Governor Okpebholo had done enough to ensure victory for the APC in the local government election and urged the members of the party to use those developmental strides to campaign to the people to vote for APC councillors and chairmanship candidates in the five local government areas that make up Edo Central Senatorial Districts and other parts of the state.
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