Finally, Edo Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu Removed From Office

The Edo State House of Assembly, on April 08, 2024, succeeded in impeaching the state’s Deputy governor, Philip Shaibu after an unresolved feud between him and the state governor, Godwin Obaseki.

The impeachment comes to the heels after the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the Assembly to probe allegations of misconduct against Shaibu.

According to report, the Assembly which commenced proceedings around 9.41 am conceded to the impeachment of the deputy governor by a vote of 18 against one who voted against, among the 20 members present with the speaker expected to give the deciding vote in case of a tie.

The panel, however, exonerated the impeached deputy governor on the allegation of perjury as it was not “made up”, that is proven.

On April 04, 2024, Shaibu objected to the seven-member investigative panel proceeding with his planned impeachment, urging them to adhere to an interlocutory injunction issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

On April 05, 2024, the deputy governor failed to appear before the seven-man panel that probed allegations of perjury and leaking of the government’s secrets against him.

The disparity between the impeached deputy governor and his boss heightened when Shaibu declared his intentions to run for governorship position in the forthcoming elections in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP.