The deputy governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, has withdrawn the suit he slammed on Governor Godwin Obaseki, seeking protection against his planned impeachment.

In a statement on Tuesday in Benin, Mr Shaibu said the withdrawal resulted from the intervention by well-meaning individuals in the state.

The deputy governor had sought a restraining order against the governor, the Inspector General of Police, the State Security Service, the state’s chief judge and the speaker of the House of Assembly against his removal from office.

But in the statement, Mr Shaibu said he took the action due to the intervention of prominent indigenes of Edo.

“Arising from the series of meetings held with me and also with Mr Governor by well-meaning Edo indigenes, Nigerians and party leaders, traditional rulers, and my Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr Augustine Akubeze, the Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese, on the issues that led to my going to Court, I have instructed my solicitors to withdraw the suit forthwith.

“I, Comrade Philip Shaibu, have authorised and instructed my solicitors to withdraw the suit forthwith,” he said.

He commended well-meaning Nigerians, party leaders, traditional rulers and the archbishop for their kind words, advice and encouragement in ensuring peace and unity in our state.

Mr Shaibu, however, appreciated Mr Obaseki, whom he described as his boss, mentor and brother, “for this path of peace”.

Mr Obaseki and his deputy have been engulfed in crisis over the successor battle in the forthcoming 2024 governorship election in the state.

The fight culminated in stripping Mr Shaibu of his supervisory roles at the revenue generation agencies, local government and sports. 

(NAN)