I did not sponsor Shaibu's impeachment - Ighodalo 

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 21 September governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has denied the allegation that he was behind the impeachment of the former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

Shaibu was impeached by the State House of Assembly on the 8 April, 2024, on allegations of perjury and disclosure of government secrets.

Shaibu who spoke at a meeting held on Saturday at Ogbonna, the countryhome of the national vice chairman (south-south) of the party, Dan Orbih, had alleged that Ighodalo was the one that sponsored his impeachment.

But reacting in a statement released by his media team on Monday and made available to journalists in Benin, Ighodalo who described the allegation as fake, added that the claim was cooked up to tarnish his reputation.

The statement reads:

“While we would not usually join issues in response to every passing comment, it has become imperative to address the recent spurious allegations by former Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu.

“It is necessary for the record, to state in no uncertain terms, that Dr. Asue Ighodalo has had no role or involvement in any form whatsoever in the very public process leading to Mr. Shuaibu’s impeachment and subsequent removal from office by the Edo State House of Assembly.

“These claims are completely without merit, and Mr. Ighodalo categorically denies any such involvement. These allegations are a clear attempt to unjustly tarnish his reputation and divert attention from the actual issues at hand.

We urge the public and the media to regard these false statements with well-deserved skepticism.”

The PDP candidate said he remained focused on running a governorship campaign based on issues and devoid of distractions.