The Edo State House of Assembly yesterday commenced impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor, Mr Philip Shaibu.
The majority leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, announced the impeachment notice, saying a petition dated March 5 against Shaibu, was signed by 21 of the 24 members of the legislature adding that the number of members who signed the petition was more than the two-thirds requirement stipulated by the Constitution.
He also said the petition was based on two grounds: perjury and revealing of government secrets.
Speaker of the house, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, who acknowledged receipt of the petition, directed the clerk of the house, Mr Yahaya Omogbai, to serve the impeachment notice on the deputy governor.
Agbebaku also gave the deputy governor seven days to respond to the notice of impeachment.
The impeachment notice is believed to be the latest development in the rift between Shaibu and the governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki because of his (Shaibu’s) insistence to contest for the 2024 governorship election in Edo against Obaseki’s wish.
Obaseki wants a former banker, Mr Asue Ighodalo, to succeed him as governor.
Ighodalo won the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while Shaibu emerged winner in a parallel primary poll where he was the sole candidate.
Meanwhile, the Conference of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in Edo State faulted the impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor.
Chairman and secretary of the association, Messrs Samson Isibor and John Isidhaome, called on Obaseki to rein in the legislators.
“As far as we are concerned, the deputy governor has not committed any impeachable offence or breached his oath of office.
“Edo people have the exclusive right to call for his impeachment if he commits any grievous offence like corruption, misappropriation of public funds, among others,” CRPP said in a statement.
