Impeachment: Edo PDP Chides Shaibu, Sides with Obaseki

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Leaders of Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have scolded the Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, for approaching the court over allegations that Governor Godwin Obaseki, was about to impeach him without exhausting dispute resolution mechanisms of the party.

The leaders, who met yesterday, in Igueben Local Government Area of the state, were drawn from Edo Central Senatorial District of the State.

Those in attendance were Chairman, Edo State PDP, Hon. Tony Aziegbemi; former Chairman, PDP Board of Trustee (BOT), Chief Tom Ikimi, former Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Clifford Odia; former House of Representative member representing Esan South East/Esan North East Federal Constituency, Sergius Ogun and former House of Representative member representing Esan Central, Esan West and Igueben Federal Constituency, Hon. Joe Edionwele, among others.

In a communique issued after the meeting, they said: “An extraordinary meeting of leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo Central Senatorial District held today, the 13th of August 2023, at Igueben and topical issues affecting the party in the state were reviewed.

“During the meeting, a vote of implicit confidence in the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, was moved by Chief Francis Ulinfun and seconded by Elder Johnny Abhulimen. The motion was unanimously passed by all the leaders in attendance on behalf of the Party in Esanland.

“The meeting noted with satisfaction the speedy and effective progress being made on the peace and reconciliation efforts to unite the contending forces within the party, particularly in Esanland.

“However, the deteriorating relationship between our Governor, His Excellency Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy Rt Hon Philip Shaibu, was noted with utmost dismay.

“It is the collective view of the entire leadership of PDP in Edo Central that the controversy was unnecessary and avoidable, considering that the central issue of contention has to do with the issue of governorship succession at the end of the current tenure.