Many indigenes and residents of Edo North Senatorial District have expressed their displeasure over the planned impeachment of the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.
Recall that Shaibu fell out with Governor Godwin in 2023 over plans to contest for governor of Edo State.
During the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary elect in February, Shaibu organized a parallel poll in his residence where he was declared winner. Asue Ighodalo was declared winner of the main PDP primary election in Edo State.
Last week, the Edo State House of Assembly issued Shaibu an impeachment notice.
But the protesters, who were seen chanting solidarity songs, urged Governor Obaseki to give peace a chance.
Some inscriptions on their placards read: “No to impeachment of Edo deputy governor”, “Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding”, “Give peace a chance”, “We choose peace against impeachment”, and “Edo people reject impeachment of the Deputy Governor”.
The protesters, who trooped out in their numbers, described the move to impeach Shaibu as a political vendatta.
The protesting women, men and youths, under the aegis of Edo North PDP Rescue Movement (ENREM), first converged on the popular Jattu junction in Etsako West Local Government. They later marched on major streets of the communities.
The leader of the protesters, Festus Owu, urged Edo lawmakers to focus on providing good legislation for residents and indigenes, instead of engaging in the fruitless venture of impeachment that would bring no food to the table of hungry citizens.
They urged Governor Obaseki to prevail on the House to discontinue any impeachment move against the deputy governor.