The Parish Priest of St. Francis Catholic Church, Benin, Rev. Fr. Andrew Obinyan, on Sunday made a passionate appeal to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State over the impeachment notice served on his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
The House of Assembly had on Wednesday, March 6, commenced impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor over alleged perjury and disclosure of government secrets.
In a statement in Benin, Fr. Obinyan appealed to the governor to leave his deputy alone to deal with his issues and resolve them without initiating impeachment.
The priest also pleaded with Obaseki to prevail on the House of Assembly to discontinue the impeachment process.
“Honourable Members must ensure that legislation prohibits any move that bears the semblance of retaliation.
“I entreat you because I regard you as a civilised and enlightened man. 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.
“Please, do not get me wrong because this is far more polite than you can imagine. This is the kernel of my entreaty,” Obinyan appealed.
Speaking further, the Catholic Priest noted that reconciliation was always a prosperous option and urged the governor to listen to his kind heart.
He said: ”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.
“What I see in you is what I see in your Deputy, a resolute spirit. We often say only God can determine who gets power.
“This saying should not be personalised and meaningful only when it is to our advantage.
“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.
According to Obinyan, “I am pleading. Your silence has been golden.
“Continue to be a big brother to him. Feel for the number two man who seeks power so passionately and determinedly without your support.”
He stated that a man whose level of determination makes him literally stressed out, worried, burdened, spending strength and resources, deserves empathy not impeachment.
