The Edo State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Charity Aiguobarueghian, who announced the impeachment notice during plenary, said the impeachment petition dated March 5, was signed by 21 out of the 24 members against the deputy governor.

Aiguobarueghian stated, “The petition against the deputy governor came in on March 5 and was signed by 21 out of the 24 members. The number of members who signed the petition was more than the two-third requirement stipulated in the constitution.”

The petition against Shaibu was based on the grounds of perjury and the revealing of government secrets.

The speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku who acknowledged receipt of the petition, directed the Clerk, Yahaya Omogbai, to serve the impeachment notice on Shaibu.

Speaker Agbebaku also gave the deputy governor seven days to respond to the impeachment notice.

The impeachment notice is the latest in the political battle between the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, who have been at loggerheads since mid-last year when Shaibu hinted his intention to run in the governorship election, which he officially announced some months later.