Ongoing Protests Escalate Over Shaibu’s Impeachment Plan, Obaseki Gets Warning From Religious Leader

Ongoing Protests Escalate Over Shaibu’s Impeachment Plan, Obaseki Gets Warning From Religious Leader

Supporters of Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, once again took to the streets on Sunday to protest the state House of Assembly’s plan to impeach him over allegations of leaking government secrets. The parish priest of St Francis Catholic Church, Benin, Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Obiyan, appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki to halt the impeachment move.

The impeachment proceedings against Shaibu, initiated by the Edo State House of Assembly last Wednesday, accuse him of perjury and disclosing government secrets, marking the latest episode in the ongoing rift between Shaibu and Governor Obaseki.

Tensions between the deputy governor and his principal have been palpable since last year when Shaibu declared his intention to run for the Edo governorship this year. The House directed its Clerk to serve the impeachment notice on Shaibu during the proceedings, granting him seven days to respond. However, as of Sunday, the notice had not been served.

Under the banner of Edo North PDP Rescue Movement, Shaibu’s supporters had previously protested on Thursday and reconvened on Sunday at Jattu Junction, Etsako West Local Government, carrying placards with messages such as “We say no to impeachment of Philip Shaibu” and “We say no to persecution of Philip Shaibu.”

Festus Owu, the protest leader, urged the Assembly to prioritize legislation for the Edo people instead of pursuing “fruitless ventures of impeachment.” He emphasized Shaibu’s right to contest the election, warning against returning the state to the era of godfatherism.

Owu criticized the Assembly, urging them to focus on providing good legislation for the people rather than becoming a puppet in the hands of those who do not have the state’s best interests at heart. He questioned the silence of the National Working Committee (NWC), describing it as questionable, unacceptable, and suggestive of a lack of support.

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