From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has suspended the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (FEWMA), Mr Ahmed Musa Momoh, over insubordination.
Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua, in a statement, said the suspended appointee has been ordered to hand over all government properties in his possession to the most senior public servant in the agency.
“The Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the suspension of the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (FEWMA), Mr Ahmed Musa Momoh, effective immediately.
“Mr Momoh has been instructed by His Excellency to hand over all government properties in his possession to the most senior public servant in the agency and proceed on immediate leave of absence, pending further directives from His Excellency, Governor Okpebholo,” the statement emphasised.
It explained that on Friday, the Edo State Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs announced the suspension of the planned turbaning ceremony and appointment of chiefs and village heads in South Ibie Kingdom.
The statement further clarified that the decision followed threats of potential escalation of security concerns related to the suspended event, which had been scheduled to take place on Saturday, 25 January 2025, in Iyakpi, South Ibie.
“The suspended installation of new chiefs and clan heads had been scheduled to be carried out by Umoru Inusa Umoru, the purported Aidenogie of South Ibie.
“In light of the security threats at the disposal of the Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs, I have been instructed to inform you that the proposed turbaning ceremony, as well as the appointment of chiefs and village heads by Umoru Inusa Umoru, be put on hold forthwith.
“Any other acts, omissions or commissions planned by Umoru in his capacity as the purported Aidenogie of South Ibie must be halted immediately, pending provisional clearance from the appropriate authorities,” the official communication from the state government had read.
“However, the suspended Executive Director of FEWMA, Ahmed Musa Momoh, flouted the order by the state government and carried out actions capable of derailing the relative peace in the community,” the statement added.
Government sources clarified that Momoh was suspended because he allegedly went against the state government directive by supporting the installation process.