The Edo House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, accusing him of perjury and leaking government secrets. This development is seen as a continuation of the existing tension between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki, particularly since Shaibu declared his intention to contest the governorship race.
The strained relationship between the governor and deputy governor escalated when Shaibu boycotted the governorship primary and was subsequently declared the winner at a parallel primary. The PDP national leadership, however, recognized Asue Ighodalo as the valid winner of the primary, leading to Shaibu’s demand for a Certificate of Return and threats of legal action.
The impeachment proceedings were based on a petition dated March 5, 2024, signed by 21 out of the 24 members of the Edo State House of Assembly. The petition alleges perjury and the revelation of government secrets by the deputy governor. The Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghian, announced the impeachment notice during plenary, stating that the number of members who signed the petition exceeded the two-thirds requirement stipulated in the constitution.
The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, acknowledged receipt of the petition and directed the Clerk of the House to serve the impeachment notice on Shaibu. The deputy governor has seven days to respond to the notice of impeachment.
Efforts to obtain Shaibu’s reaction were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. The Conference of Registered Political Parties in Edo State criticized the impeachment proceedings, asserting that Shaibu had not committed any impeachable offense or breached his oath of office. The association called on Governor Obaseki to intervene and rein in the Assembly.
