A Catholic priest, Andrew Obinyan, has urged Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to intervene and halt the ongoing impeachment process against Deputy Governor Philip Shuaibu.
It can be recalled that the Edo State House of Assembly initiated the impeachment proceedings against Shaibu on March 6, citing alleged perjury and disclosure of government secrets.
In a recent statement, Obinyan, the parish priest of St Francis Catholic Church in Benin City, Edo State, appealed to Obaseki to allow Shuaibu to address his ‘issues’ without facing impeachment. He emphasized the importance of avoiding actions that could be perceived as retaliatory, urging for a resolution through reconciliation rather than impeachment.
Obinyan expressed his hopes that history would not remember the Obaseki administration for impeaching its deputy governor. He urged the governor to consider the implications such an action would have on loyalty and aspirations, emphasizing the need for a civilized and enlightened approach to the situation.
“May it not be in the annals of Edo political history that there was once a deputy governor, impeached under your watch for his aspiration.”
“It will be perceived as a sting of betrayal and it will invariably redefine loyalty and aspiration as antithetical.”
He reminded the governor of the support he received during his own political trials, urging him to extend the same support to Deputy Governor Shaibu in his time of need.
“I am not insinuating he must be governor. Yet, we cannot justify an impeachment without putting a wedge on the path of positive advancement in other spheres of life.
“Do yourselves a favour because you don’t know the next victim in sudden political twists and turns.
“Dear Mr Governor, here is the point. Bear with Comrade Philip Shaibu, not for his sake but for the sake of your own indomitable spirit.”
“When you were at your lowest point and facing your political trials, your rock bottom foundation was the support from Edo people and your deputy, who you used to call your brother,” he added.
