Ben Ogbemudia, Abuja
The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in Edo State has advised Governor Godwin Obaseki to channel his energy to fighting insecurity and high cost of living in the state instead of planning impeachment against his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
The group gave the advice at its emergency congress held in Benin City on Tuesday.
A statement signed by Dr Samson Isibor, chairman and Barrister John Isidhaome, Secretary respectively was made available to newsmen.
“Edo State has been at a standstill for the past 8 years without any physical development. Edo State needs peace to progress.
“He should face the insecurity in Edo State where Fulani headsmen have taken over almost all our forest kidnapping on daily basis.
“Edo state is one of the states in Nigeria with the high cost of living which is making life unbearable for the masses. Imagine a sachet of water being sold for N5O. The cost of food items in Edo State is unbearable.
“This is also in addition of unprecedented level of roads that are not motorable. No infrastructural development, in fact, “Edo is a glorified village in Nigeria”,the statement stated.
The group which condemned the impeachment plot against the deputy governor, opined that if the impeachment was announced to succeed it is capable of igniting a chain reaction which can lead to anarchy.
He also opined that the Deputy Governor has not committed any impeachable offence or breached his oath of office, noting that it is only Edo people that have the exclusive right to call for his deputy’s impeachment if he commits any grievous offence like corruption, misappropriation of public funds among others.
According to the CRPP, Shuaibu has not committed any of the above offences, rather, he is fighting to contest for the governorship ticket of his party, the PDP, which he has every right to participate unhindered.
“Governor Obaseki has no right to continue to intimidate Shuaibu. More so, he has pushed his favourite son, Asue Ighodalo to get the PDP ticket without following the party’s guideline.
While urging the lawmakers to reject the plot, it is, however, Governor Obaseki to jettison the idea and work towards the peaceful transition of power to the next elected governor of Edo State.
The group, however, said they are praying that Obaseki tenure should end quickly so that the people of the state may breath fresh air.