• Catholic groups urge Assembly to drop impeachment plot
From Tony Osauzo, Benin
EDO StateDeputyGovernor, Philip Shaibu, yesterday, denied being served with impeachment notice from the state House of Assembly as alleged by the Speaker, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku during plenary on Monday, which he refused to acknowledge.
The Speaker stated that in- ability of the House to physically serve Shaibu led to a substituted service through advertorial in the newspapers.
But the deputy governor in a letter addressed to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, Edo State House of Assembly dated 12th March, 2024 and titled “Re: Service of Impeachment Notice,” signed by his Personal Assistant, Charles Olubayo, denied ever being served any letter how much more refusing to collect.
He explained that he has been out of the state since March 3rd and therefore could not have been served as claimed during plenary.
Meanwhile, Over seven Catholic organisations, yesterday, wrote a joint letter to the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, to prevail on his colleagues to drop the impeachment move against the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.
The groups included Catholic Action Nigeria (CAN), Catholic Lawyers, Catholic Men Organisation of Nigeria (CMON), Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria (CWON), Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON), Catholic Girls Organisation of Nigeria (CGON), Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) among others.
Steve Apologun, the Benin provincial president of CMO, while presenting the letter to Agbebaku and some other principal officers of the House and members of the Assembly, on behalf of the groups, said there was need for peace in the state ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
The letter written from the Department of Church and Society, Catholic Secretariat, Abuja, also urged the Edo lawmakers to take into cognisance how Shaibu was prevailed upon to withdraw all court cases about his impeachment by religious leaders, led by the Arch- bishop of Benin City, Augustine Akubeze, when the impeachment saga first started last year which he said Shaibu complied with.
The groups, while appreciating the legislative roles of the members of the Edo State House of Assembly and their constitutional duties, appealed for caution “to ensure your legislative responsibilities are not perceived as a political witch-hunt against the deputy governor due to his political disagreement with the governor.
“We call for a careful approach on this matter with a focus on dialogue and peace, rather than creating further tension in the state.
“We would like to draw your attention that our Chief Shepherd, Akubeze, Catholic Archbishop of Benin, has tirelessly worked towards promoting peace and reconciliation between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Shaibu.
“As part of the reconciliation process initiated by our archbishop, there was a mutual agreement for the deputy governor to withdraw the legal action that sought to halt the initial alleged impeachment process.
“As Catholic faithful and eligible voters, we are saddened by the current impeachment process, which is perceived by the public as a political witch-hunt. This perception reflects disrespect towards our archbishop and the intervention of other respected religious and traditional leaders in the state. “Therefore, we humbly request your intervention and alignment with the peace process initiated by our archbishop and other respected leaders within and outside the state.
“As leaders, our commitment lies in promoting peaceful co-existence and good governance. Once again, we assure you and the well-meaning residents of Edo State that we will fulfil our responsibility in the upcoming gubernatorial election to educate, sensitise, and mobilise our lay faithful and other voters in Edo State on the importance of identifying desirable qualities in prospective candidates and the need to support anyone found with integrity and the ability to deliver on their promises, regardless of political, tribal, and religious affiliations.
This approach which will be applied to future general election aims to ensure development and good governance in the state and our nation, Nigeria
“We pray for wisdom and discernment in your decision- making process and encourage you to consider this appeal with utmost seriousness and take the necessary steps towards fostering unity, collaboration, and progress for the benefit of Edo State and its people,” the groups said in the letter.