Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has indefinitely suspended the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Edo State Flood, Erosion, and Watershed Management Agency (FEWMA), Mr. Ahmed Musa Momoh, for alleged insubordination.
The suspension, announced in a press statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, takes immediate effect. Mr. Momoh has been directed 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.
The statement read, “The Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the suspension of the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (FEWMA), Mr. Ahmed Musa Momoh, effective immediately.
“Mr. Momoh has been instructed 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.”
This action followed Mr. Momoh’s alleged defiance of a government order suspending a planned turbaning ceremony and the appointment of chiefs and village heads in South Ibie Kingdom. The ceremony, initially scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Iyakpi, South Ibie, was halted over concerns of potential security threats.
The Edo State Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs had earlier issued a directive suspending the event, citing intelligence reports that it could escalate tensions in the area. The ceremony was to be conducted by Umoru Inusa Umoru, the purported Aidenogie of South Ibie.
A government statement warned, “In light of the security threats at the disposal of the Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs, the proposed turbaning ceremony and appointment of chiefs and village heads by Umoru Inusa Umoru are to be put on hold forthwith. Any further actions by him as the purported Aidenogie must cease immediately pending clearance from the appropriate authorities.”
Despite the directive, Mr. Ahmed Musa Momoh reportedly flouted the order, carrying out actions that the government deemed capable of disrupting the community’s peace.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration reiterated its commitment to upholding peace and order in Edo State, emphasizing that all government appointees and stakeholders must comply with state directives to prevent unrest.
