The disagreement between the executive and legislative arms of the Bomadi Local Government Council remains unresolved following a stakeholders’ meeting held in Asaba, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the proceedings.
The meeting, convened to explore possible resolutions to the ongoing dispute, brought together officials of the Delta State Government, leadership of the Delta State House of Assembly, representatives of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, Hon. Dagidi Andaye, and councillors from both factions of the Bomadi Legislative Council.
Among those present were the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Kelly Penawou; the Economic Adviser to the Delta State Government, Dr. Barry Pere Gbe; and the ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa.
Sources who attended the meeting stated that discussions focused on proposals aimed at restoring internal harmony within the Bomadi Council. One of the proposals reportedly involved the reinstatement of principal officers of the Bomadi Legislative Arm who had earlier been removed, as well as a call for the withdrawal of a petition submitted by some councillors to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The petition, according to copies sighted by this publication, was submitted to the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate by 15 councillors of the Bomadi Legislative Council. It raises concerns over an alleged loan transaction of approximately ₦800 million, which the petitioners claim was undertaken without the approval of the legislative council. The allegations contained in the petition have not been determined by any court or investigative authority as of the time of this report.
Multiple councillors who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that they declined the proposal, maintaining that their legislative actions and petition to the EFCC were taken in the exercise of their constitutional and statutory oversight responsibilities.
The councillors further stated that they expected the meeting to address the substance of the financial concerns raised in their petition. However, they said discussions were largely centered on reconciliation measures rather than an examination of the specific allegations contained in the petition.
Some attendees also alleged that certain remarks made during the meeting were interpreted by them as coercive. These accounts remain contested and could not be independently verified. No official transcript or communique from the meeting has been made public.
A political observer based in Bomadi, who requested anonymity, noted that the situation highlights broader challenges in managing disputes between local government executives and legislatures, particularly where allegations of financial impropriety are involved. The observer stressed that allegations of this nature are best addressed through formal investigative and judicial processes.
At the time of filing this report, no public statement has been issued by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly or other officials present at the meeting regarding the claims made by the councillors.
Repeated attempts to reach the Speaker and his Chief Press Secretary via telephone and electronic messaging for comments were unsuccessful before publication.