The Office of Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, denied receiving an impeachment notice from the state House of Assembly, despite allegations of evasion. This denial challenges the lawmakers’ claim from Monday that Shaibu was dodging service, leading to their decision to publicize the impeachment notice in a newspaper.
The Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Shaibu last Wednesday, accusing him of perjury and leaking government secrets. The rift between Shaibu and Governor Obaseki worsens as Shaibu plans to contest in the upcoming governorship race, escalating tensions.
Moreover, the Assembly directed its Clerk to serve Shaibu with the impeachment notice, providing him seven days to respond. However, they later alleged Shaibu was evading service, opting to serve him through a newspaper publication. Shaibu’s office denied the allegations, with assistant Charles Olubayo writing to correct misrepresentations caused by the Assembly’s claims.
Additionally, Catholic Lawyers and six other groups within the Catholic Church urged the Assembly to halt the impeachment proceedings against Shaibu. They presented a joint letter, emphasizing the impeachment’s perceived disrespect towards religious and traditional leaders’ interventions, including the Archbishop of Benin City, Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze, who had mediated for peace last year.
Finally, the groups emphasized peace’s necessity before the September 21 governorship election, urging the Assembly’s actions not to reflect political vendettas.
They stressed the efforts of Archbishop Akubeze in reconciling the governor and his deputy.
In response, Speaker Agbebaku highlighted his servant leadership, showing decisions were collective, underlining Edo’s intricate political and legislative landscape.
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