Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, faces impeachment

The Edo State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against the State Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu.

The Majority Leader, Mr. Charity Aiguobarueghian, who announced the impeachment notice during plenary on Wednesday, said the petition dated March 5, was signed by 21 out of the 24 members against the deputy governor.

Aiguobarueghian stated: “The petition against the deputy governor came in on March 5 and was signed by 21 out of the 24 members. The number of members who signed the petition was more than the two-third requirement stipulated in the constitution.”

He also said that the petition was based on two grounds — perjury and the revealing of government secrets.

The Speaker of the House, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku who acknowledged receipt of the petition, directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, to serve Shaibu the impeachment notice.

Agbebaku also gave the deputy governor seven days to respond to the notice of impeachment.

Persecondnews reports that the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and his Deputy have been at loggerheads since June 2023.

The rift followed Shaibu’s announcement of his intention to run for the office of governor of the state.

Shaibu and Dr. Asue Ighodalo emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidates in Edo State following simultaneous primaries held on February 22, 2023, Persecondnews recalls.

However, the PDP insisted that Ighodalo remain the party’s only candidate and gave him the certificate of return.

Not satisfied with the decision of the party, Shaibu had last week invaded the party’s headquarters in Abuja, demanding recognition as the party’s legitimate governorship candidate.

He also expressed concern that he was under threat of impeachment for “insisting on doing the right thing in the Edo State PDP.”