The Edo State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, amid ongoing tensions between him and Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, made the announcement during a plenary session on Wednesday.
Aiguobarueghian revealed that a petition dated March 5, signed by 21 out of the 24 members of the House, was submitted against the deputy governor. The petition cited two grounds for impeachment: perjury and the revelation of government secrets.
“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-thirds requirement stipulated in the constitution,” Aiguobarueghian stated.
In response, the Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, acknowledged receipt of the petition and directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, to serve Shaibu with the impeachment notice. Shaibu has been given seven days to respond to the notice of impeachment.
The rift between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu has been ongoing since mid-last year, notably escalating when Shaibu declared his intention to contest for the governorship position in the state.
