In the wake of the Edo State House of Assembly issuing an impeachment notice, Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu has sought legal intervention from a court in Abuja to halt the proceedings.
Amidst a political conflict with Governor Godwin Obaseki, Shaibu’s move comes as a defensive strategy against the legislative action.
While Shaibu’s press secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, has remained unavailable for comments, a source close to Shaibu indicated that legal measures are underway to prevent the impeachment by the House of Assembly, its speaker, and the state’s chief judge.
Shaibu’s political struggles, particularly his ambition to run for the governorship in 2024 against Obaseki’s preferred candidate, Asue Ighodalo, are believed to be at the heart of this controversy.
Ighodalo was recently nominated as the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in Benin.
The impeachment process against Shaibu began in the state assembly yesterday, led by Majority Leader Charity Aiguobarueghian, who cited a petition supported by 21 assembly members. The charges against Shaibu include perjury and the disclosure of confidential government information.
Speaker Blessing Agbebaku has confirmed the receipt of the petition and instructed the clerk to deliver the impeachment notice to Shaibu, who has been given a week to provide a response.
