The Edo State House of Assembly commenced the impeachment process against embattled Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu in a heated session on Wednesday.
The Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghian, representing Ovia North East I, announced the impeachment move during plenary.
According to him, a petition, dated March 5, 2024, endorsed by 21 out of 24 lawmakers, serves as the basis for the move.
Aiguobarueghian cited allegations of perjury and divulgence of state secrets while clarifying that the number of signatories meets the required two-thirds majority as stipulated by the constitution.
The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, acknowledged the petition and directed the Clerk, Yahaya Omogbai, to serve the impeachment notice to Shaibu.
Agbebaku also gave the deputy governor seven days to respond to the allegations contained in the notice.
Tensions between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki have escalated in recent months, with Shaibu attributing the rift to his gubernatorial aspiration.