TheCable

The Edo house of assembly has directed Daniel Okungbowa, the state’s chief judge, to set up a seven-member panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor.

Moves to impeach Shaibu as Edo deputy governor intensified after he was declared winner of a parallel governorship primary election that was held at his residence in Benin City, the state capital.

Asue Ighodalo won the election backed by the national working committee (NWC) of the party, while Shaibu was announced the winner of another primary organised by a faction of the PDP in the state.

On March 6, the assembly served  Shaibu with an impeachment notice after a petition against him was signed by 21 of 24 members of the legislative house.

At the assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Blessing Agbebaku, speaker of the house, said the seven-day ultimatum given to the deputy governor to respond to the impeachment notice served on him on March 6 has expired.

Agbebaku said due to the evasion of service by the Shaibu, the house ordered for the notice to be published in two newspapers.

Subsequently, Charity  Aiguobarueghan, the majority leader of the house, moved the motion asking the chief judge to put in place the seven-member panel.

The motion was seconded by Nicholas Asonsere, the representative of the Ikpoba/Okha constituency.