The Edo state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Monday said the move by his deputy, Hon. Phillip Shaibu, to seek a court order to stop his purported impeachment is preemptive ahead of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor stated that there is no plan to impeach his deputy.
He said Shaibu has been “actively engaging with senior actors both at the national and state levels of the APC, negotiating his way into their party.”
Obaseki who stated this during a solidarity visit by the Edo North leaders of the People Democratic Party (PDP) added that his deputy is at the verge of finalising 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 the deputy governor, Comrade Philip 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 broad latitude to do his work as deputy governor.
“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,” Obaseki stated. (Blueprint)