As tensions escalate over the purported impeachment move against Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, stakeholders have called for urgent resolution of the feud between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
Among those advocating for reconciliation is Very Rev. Father Andrew Obiyaan, a prominent Catholic Priest, who appealed directly to Governor Obaseki to intervene and halt the impeachment proceedings against his deputy. In a heartfelt statement titled ‘Between Empathy and Impeachment for Your Deputy,’ Father Obiyaan implored Governor Obaseki to consider the implications of Shaibu’s potential impeachment, emphasizing the importance of reconciliation and unity within the political landscape of Edo State.
Father Obiyaan’s plea resonates with concerns raised by various stakeholders who fear that the impeachment process could undermine the spirit of loyalty and aspiration within the political sphere. They argue that resolving the dispute through reconciliation would pave the way for positive advancement and prevent further disruptions in governance.
Meanwhile, Senator Rowland Owie, a prominent elder of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has refuted reports suggesting that leaders of Edo South had reached a consensus on the selection of a deputy governorship candidate for Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate. Owie clarified that no such meeting had taken place, dismissing the reports as misinformation spread for selfish reasons.
The conflicting narratives surrounding the deputy governorship slot underscore the complexity of political dynamics in Edo State and highlight the need for transparent and inclusive decision-making processes within the party.