Former governor of Edo State and lawmaker representing Edo North in the Senate, Adams Oshiomhole has distanced himself from the impeachment proceedings that was commenced against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu.
FACTSHEET reported that the Deputy Governor was on Wednesday served impeachment notice by the Hon. Blessing Agbebaku led Edo State House of Assembly accusing the embattled Deputy Governor of perjury and revealing of government secrets.
However, reacting to a publication linking the him with the impeachment process against Shuaibu, Senator Oshiomhole through a statement issued by his Senior Legislative Aide, Victor Oshioke, on Wednesday evening said that he had no hand in the process but was rather focusing on uniting the people of the state to vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The former labour leader stated that he had never discussed any matter concerning Philip Shuaibu with Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Part of the statement reads:
“Our attention has been drawn to an article circulating on social media regarding a purported plan by the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki to call on lawmakers of Edo State House of Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
“Ordinarily, we would neither be concerned nor bothered by what methods the characters in the unending feud within the Edo State PDP employ to settle scores among themselves. However, we are compelled to clarify and set the record straight because in the said article, it was falsely claimed, and I quote ‘our reporter also gathered that the governor have(sic) already gotten across to Senator Adams Oshiomhole to help him lobby and talk to the APC lawmakers in the House to support the impeachment move against Philip Shaibu since he and the deputy governor are not in good terms with the Edo North Senator.
“We wish to categorically state that Senator Oshiomhole has not, at any time, engaged in discussions with Governor Obaseki regarding plans to impeach his deputy. “Let it be put on record that Senator Oshiomhole, as the apex leader of the APC in Edo State, is solely focused on fostering goodwill between the people of Edo State and the APC, with the goal of winning the upcoming governorship election and returning the state to a path of progress under an APC government”
“Also, it is important to state that matters of impeachment are the sole responsibilities of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Edo State Judiciary. Political parties have no constitutional role to play in any impeachment process. Therefore, the notion that Senator Oshiomhole can influence the actions of APC lawmakers should there be any impeachment exercise in the Edo State House of Assembly is simply preposterous. Senator Oshiomhole has not and will not engage in any deals with Governor Obaseki on this or any other political issue.
“Lastly, we urge all Edo people to approach articles of this nature with skepticism if the authors fail to take credit for their allegations. As we begin the process leading to the September 2024 governorship election in our beloved state, let us all strive for truthful and responsible discourse in our political environment.”
Deputy Governor Philip Shuaibu has been engaged in a running battle with his principal over his (Shuaibu’s) ambition to contest the forthcoming Edo governorship election. Shuaibu organized a parallel primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he emerged the factional candidate, while Mr. Asue Igbodalo, a businessman emerged the party’s candidate in the primary organized by the faction backed by Governor Obaseki.
