The fight between the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Phillip Shaibu have assumed a different dimension as the governor as set plans in motion to commence impeachment process against his deputy.
TheHintsNews reports that Shuaibu had last Friday approached a Federal High Court sitting, Abuja to stop the commencement of an impeachment process against him.
In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023, the Inspector General of Police(IGP) State Security Service; the Governor of Edo State; the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, and the Chief Judge of Edo State are the first, second, third, fourth and fifth defendants respectively.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed had issued a temporary order stopping the move by Obaseki to impeach Shaibu.
The judge ruled that all parties maintain “Status Quo Ante Bellum”, pending the hearing slated for Thursday, 10th August, 2023.
However, checks revealed that in disregard for the temporary order, an impeachment ambush has been set for the early hours of Monday.
It was gathered that the Governor has resolved to hasten the impeachment process of his deputy before the hearing slated for Monday.
TheHintsNews also gathered that lawmakers loyal to the state governor had launched a series of meetings to perfect his removal.
The lawmakers in the governor’s camp have, according to feelers, begun a drive for signatures with which they planned to reinforce their petition and push through a resolution to set the stage for his eventual removal from office.
The governor’s camp had reportedly approached 12 members of the Edo State House of Assembly to canvass the removal of the deputy governor.
The fight between the duo may not be unconnected with the governorship election slated for next year.
While Shaibu has not hidden his desire to succeed his boss, Obaseki on the other hand is likely to anoint one Asue Ighodalo to succeed him.