19th June, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has described the impeachment of former Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu, as an achievement for the House.
He stated this on Wednesday while answering questions from journalists during a press briefing organized to mark on the first anniversary of the 8th Assembly.
According to him, the impeachment processes were followed to the letter.
“To me, I stand tall to say that the impeachment of the former Deputy Governor is a good record because we are doing our legislative duty. That also showed that the 8th Assembly is very independent,” he said.
Philip Shaibu who was impeached on 8 March, 2024, is the first Deputy Governor to be impeached in the history of the state, right from the Midwest Region, Bendel State and now Edo State.
He was impeached after being found guilt of disclosing government’s information to the public, by a seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Commenting on the three lawmakers he single-handedly suspended on 6 May, 2024, Agbebaku said they paid the price of disobedience to the laid-down rules and regulations of the House.
The legislators, Donald Okogbe (PDP, Akoko-Edo II), Bright Iyamu (PDP, Orihonmwon South) and Addeh Isibor (APC, Esan North East I), were suspended over alleged plot to impeach the Speaker and other Principal Officers of the House.
They were also accused of being used by some “external forces” to cause chaos and to plot the removal of the leadership of the House.
Agbebaku, however said a committee was set up to investigate the reasons for their suspension. He added that in the next three weeks, the committee will submit its reports, which he said will decide the next line of action.
The Edo Assembly Speaker disclosed that a total of 16 Bills and 44 Resolutions were passed by the House in the period under review.
He disclosed that the Resolutions have helped the House to establish a clear policy thrust while the Bills have different economic, social, political and religious impacts on the people of the State.