By Milcah Tanimu

The Edo State House of Assembly has directed that the impeachment notice for the state Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, be published in national dailies. This decision comes after the alleged refusal of the deputy governor to acknowledge the notice served on him by the House last week.

Impeachment proceedings against Shaibu were initiated last Wednesday, with accusations of perjury and leaking government secrets. The impeachment notice is seen as the latest development in the ongoing rift between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki. Tensions have been evident since last year when Shaibu declared his intention to join the governorship race.

Upon resumption of plenary on Monday, the Speaker of the Edo State House Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, claimed that Shaibu had rejected the impeachment notice previously served on him. As a result, the House decided to serve the notice by substitution, directing the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, to publish the notice in the Nigerian Observer newspaper and other national dailies.

The Speaker stated, “It is clear that the deputy governor has rejected the impeachment notice served on him by the House. The House will serve him by substitution by publishing the letter in three national dailies, The Observer inclusive.”