- By Kamil Opeyemi
The crisis rocking the Edo state government worsened on Wednesday with the notice of impeachment served on the Deputy Governor, Philips Shaibu. Shaibu, according to the House of Assembly, has seven days to respond to the allegations levelled against him.
The deputy governor has been at loggerheads with Governor Godwin Obaseki over his ambition to become the next governor.
The Majority leader of the State House of Assembly and member representing Ovia North East 1, Charity Aiguobarueghian, announced this during the sitting.
Aiguobarueghian stated that the petition against the Deputy Governor which dated March 5, 2024 ,was endorsed by 21 out of the 24 lawmakers.
The Majority leader maintained that the number of lawmakers that signed the petition have met the required two – thirds as stipulated in the constitution.
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He noted that the petition was based on allegations of perjury and divulging Edo State Government secrets.
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has directed the clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, to serve the impeachment notice on Shaibu.
Agbebaku also confirmed that the Deputy Governor has been given seven days to respond to the notice of impeachment.
The relationship between Shaibu and the Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has deteriorated in recent months.
Recall that Shaibu had alleged a plot to impeach him from office, claiming his governorship ambition was responsible for the plot.
He was elected as a PDP candidate during a parallel primary election conducted in his residence in Benin City, the state capital.
Asue Ighodalo was also announced the winner of another PDP primary exercise which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin