The Edo State chapter of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has condemned the move by the Edo State House of Assembly and Governor Godwin Obaseki to impeach the deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, and has asked the duo to abandon the impeachment move.
The body expressed its condemnation in a statement endorsed by the Chairman, Samson Isibor, on Tuesday while reacting to the order given by the Assembly to the Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to constitute a seven-man committee to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the deputy governor.
The group expressed surprise that the Assembly could continue with the impeachment process despite the various appeals made by prominent citizens of the state for a truce.
This was just as the body reiterated its submission on the “innocence” of the deputy governor.
The statement reads in part: “The CRPP was surprised that in spite of interventions of well-meaning Nigerians, including highly respected religious leaders and political leaders, appealing to Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Edo State House of Assembly members and leadership to exercise restraint and abandon their planned impeachment of the deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, they are unperturbed and still going ahead to carry out their unpopular move to impeach the Deputy Governor.
“The assembly failed to realize that the case is not a personal issue. Those who live in glass houses must not throw stones. If they believe in justice and fair play, they should gladly honor the court summons and present their allegations against the Deputy Governor in an open court instead of displaying rascality. A clean mind fears no accusation.
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“We had earlier affirmed the innocence of the Deputy Governor of any accusation leveled against him. Rather, it was witch-hunting and political victimization of the highest order by Governor Obaseki because his Deputy dared to exercise his constitutional right to be voted for.
“As we’ve said earlier, nobody has the right to stop anybody from exercising his/her constitutional right to participate in any election. Obaseki has no power to stop his deputy from voting or being voted for.
“For almost eight years now, we have not experienced good governance in Edo State, while infrastructural development throughout the state is lacking.
“Insecurity is on the high side, with herdsmen kidnapping on a daily basis, and the cost of living is becoming unbearable. These are issues the governor should be tackling instead of embarking on a selfish impeachment move,” he added.
