The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said yesterday that there was no plan to impeach his deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu.
Obaseki noted that the move by Shaibu, seeking a court order to stop his purported impeachment, was preemptive ahead of his defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
This came as leaders of Edo North Senatorial District, the senatorial zone of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, distanced themselves from his governorship ambition, warning the deputy governor against fuelling the crisis in the state.
Governor Obaseki, while briefing newsmen in Benin City, during a visit by the Edo North leaders, said the deputy governor has been actively engaging with senior actors, both at the national and state levels of the APC, negotiating his way into their party, adding that he was at the verge of finalizing moves to defect to the APC.
He said: “Let me put it on record that I am not aware of any plot or any scheme to impeach Shaibu. I have also checked and there was no such plan.
“So, the court action taken, for me, is a thing of shock and disappointment. I am trying to reflect on the move made by somebody that I have given a broad latitude to do his work as deputy governor. So, for him to take this kind of action is shocking.
“It’s clear what has happened in the last few weeks. It is a preemptive move for him to conclude what he has started. Those of you from Akoko-Edo can recall that when we were discussing the issue of your local government chairman and that of Owan, there was a lot of resistance from you on the candidates he wanted to impose on you.
“I listened to your entreaties and thought that what you were recommending was fair. How can he be recommending the son of an APC leader in that local government? You resisted and I saw reason and acceded to your request.
“The next day, I saw on social media that he was in Abuja robbing minds with the opposition party. Obaseki stated.
