Mohammed Shosanya
The Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday commenced impeachment proceedings against the state deputy governor,Philip Shaibu.
The Majority leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, who announced the impeachment notice during plenary, said the petition dated March 5, was signed by 21 out of the 24 members against the deputy governor.
Aiguobarueghian stated that the number of members who signed the petition were more than the two- third requirement stipulated in the constitution.
He also said that the petition was based on two grounds of perjury and revealing of government secrets.
The speaker of the house, Blessing Agbebaku who acknowledged receipt of the petition, directed the clerk of the house, 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.
Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), Edo State, on Tuesday called on the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to jettison his alleged impeachment plan against his deputy, Philip Shaibu and start preparing his hand over note for his successor.
The CRPP which made the call in a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor and Secretary Barr. John Isidahome and made available to journalists in Benin said Shaibu has not committed any offense for choosing to contest the state governorship election.
He said Shaibu was only exercising his rights and that any plan to impeach him can only lead to crisis in the state.