On March 6, 2024, a piece of news went viral on social media, while a similar version went viral on X (formerly Twitter) that the Edo State House of Assembly had served an impeachment notice on Philip Shuaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State.
This news came a few weeks after Philip Shuaibu contested a parallel primary election and was declared the winner. He stormed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters to demand a certificate of return. He was, however, not given the certificate of return as the Dauda Lawal-led governorship primary committee declared Asue Ighodalo, having scored 577 votes, as the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP. His closest rival, Philip Shuaibu, scored one vote.
Recent events have indicated an ongoing rift between the governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Philip Shuaibu. The CDD War Room did a fact-check where Shuaibu disclosed that he felt betrayed by Obaseki for not supporting his gubernatorial bid.
The notice of impeachment is coming a few months into the Edo governorship election, slated for September 21, 2024.
Claim: Edo Assembly issues impeachment notice on Philip Shuaibu
Verification:
The CDD War Room can confirm that the Edo State House of Assembly has started a process to impeach Philip Shuaibu, the deputy governor.
On Wednesday, March 6, Charity Aiguobarueghian, the majority leader of the State House of Assembly and member representing Ovia North East 1, announced the commencement of impeachment. He revealed that the state assembly received a petition against the deputy governor dated March 5, 2024, which was endorsed by 21 out of the 24 lawmakers.
Aiguobarueghian noted that the petition was based on allegations of perjury and divulging Edo State government secrets.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has directed the clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, to serve the impeachment notice on Shaibu. The embattled deputy governor has seven days to respond to the notice of impeachment.
Verdict: TRUE
The CDD War Room can confirm that 21 out of the 24 House of Assembly members in Edo State have signed the impeachment notice served on Philip Shuaibu. The speaker said the petition leading to the impeachment process is based on allegations of perjury and divulging Edo State government secrets. Philip Shuaibu has seven days to respond to the notice of impeachment.
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