In a significant development on Monday, the political landscape of Edo State underwent a dramatic shift as the State’s House of Assembly proceeded to impeach Philip Shaibu, the embattled Deputy Governor. The impeachment, which concluded a protracted period of conflict between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki, unfolded during a plenary session in Benin City, the state capital.
This move had been brewing for months amidst strained relations between Obaseki and Shaibu. The culmination of this tension led to Shaibu’s impeachment following the adoption of a report by a seven-member committee appointed by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, tasked with investigating allegations of misconduct against the Deputy Governor.
During the assembly’s session, the Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, revealed that the judicial panel’s report found Shaibu guilty of disclosing government secrets, although it couldn’t establish the accusation of perjury. Consequently, the panel recommended Shaibu’s impeachment on the grounds of this disclosure.
The voting process, conducted by the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, saw 18 out of 19 members present voting in favor of Shaibu’s impeachment, meeting the required 2/3 majority. The Speaker, Agbebaku, subsequently directed the Clerk to forward copies of the impeachment to Governor Obaseki for his assent.
Shaibu swiftly condemned the impeachment, labeling it an assault on democracy. He argued that it was motivated by his intention to contest the Edo State governorship election in 2024 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Shaibu’s impeachment marks the climax of a prolonged political deadlock between him and Obaseki, which saw allegations, counterclaims, apologies, and legal battles.
Central to this feud were Shaibu’s gubernatorial aspirations, which strained his relationship with Obaseki. Obaseki accused Shaibu of plotting a “coup” against him, while Shaibu alleged Obaseki’s involvement in instigating his impeachment. Shaibu’s subsequent participation in the PDP governorship primary, declaring himself the winner in a parallel election, further exacerbated tensions within the party.
