Suspected political thugs on Monday took control of the Oredo Local Government Area secretariat in Edo State, preventing the chairman, Tom Obaseki, from gaining access to his office.
The hoodlums, armed with weapons, took up strategic positions at the secretariat, chanting war songs.
The embattled council boss, who had resumed work for the day, was forced to retreat.
Obaseki spoke to journalists outside the council premises, saying, “I came here to continue my work as elected chairman of Oredo Local Government. I met a whole lot of thugs who have already taken over the council.
“This is a very disturbing trend. We are calling on the security agencies to arrest the situation. What is important is that we have a restraining order.”
Obaseki had resumed work for the day after the Edo State High Court ruled on Friday that his suspension, along with that of 17 other council chairmen, was lifted.
The Edo State House of Assembly suspended the 18 council chairmen and their deputies following Governor Monday Okpebholo’s petition accusing them of alleged insubordination and gross misconduct.
