A 38-year-old Omobayo Godwin was, Monday, sworn in as the new Edo State Deputy Governor, hours after Philip Shaibu was impeached.
Omobayo who holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical electronics, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) was sworn in at the Edo Government House in Benin City, the state capital.
Shaibu impeached
The Edo State House of Assembly impeached Philip Shaibu as deputy governor of the state on Monday.
The impeachment followed the adoption of the report of a seven-member investigative panel.
The panel was set up by Daniel Okungbowa, chief judge of Edo, and was headed by S. A. Omonuwa, a retired justice.
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Shaibu was accused of “misconduct, perjury and disclosure of government secrets.”
The commencement of the panel’s sitting followed the resolution by the state house of assembly on initiating impeachment processes against Shaibu.
At the panel’s inaugural sitting on April 3, the House of Assembly was represented by Joe Ohiafi, deputy clerk, legal.
Shaibu was represented by Oladoyin Awoyale, a professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
In July 2023, Shaibu sued Edo State Government in a Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent the impeachment plot against him.
He particularly asked the court to restrain Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki, the speaker of the state assembly, and the chief judge, from “initiating impeachment proceedings or sanctioning any impeachment” against him.
Thereafter, the court restrained Obaseki, the speaker, and other defendants in the suit from initiating impeachment proceedings against Shaibu.
In September, Shaibu withdrew the suit he filed against Obaseki, paving the way for the proceedings which eventually sacked him from office.
Shuaibu reacts
Reacting to his impeachment, Philip Shaibu has described his impeachment by the state House of Assembly as illegal.
He was probed on allegations of perjury and leaking of government secrets by a panel headed by Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.) which ended its sitting on Friday after Shaibu failed to appear.
Shaibu said the impeachment was due to his ambition to become the state governor.
He, however, noted that the impeachment did not follow due process.
The former deputy governor made his position known in a video shared on his X handle on Monday.
“My good people of Edo State, I thank you all for standing by me in these troubling circumstances as the deputy governor of Edo State.
“It is with a heavy heart, yet a resolute spirit, that I come before you to address the recent events that are unfolding in our dear state. I denounce in the strongest term the illegal impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly over baseless charges,” he wrote.
He added that his impeachment was an attack on democracy and a show of dictatorship.
“This is not just an attack on me as an individual but on the democracy that we hold dear.
“It is a dangerous descend into dictatorship and a threat to the foundation of our democracy. Let it be clear that this impeachment was hatched because of my ambition to contest the Edo State 2024 governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. An ambition that is a legal right to all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is a sad reality that in our political landscape, ambition is met with resistance. Those in power seek to silence opposition through illegitimate means. I have devoted my life to serving the good people of Edo state with integrity and honesty.
”I have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of our citizens. I have upheld the values of democracy and justice and yet in return, I am faced with baseless accusations and a blatant disregard for due process and the rule of law,” he said.
Speaking further, Shaibu described the allegations levelled against him as a move to conceal the real motive behind his impeachment.
He said, “The allegations brought against me are nothing more than a smokescreen to conceal the true motive behind this impeachment. It’s a flagrant abuse of power and a betrayal of the trust the people of Edo have placed in their elected officials.
“We refuse to stay inactive while our democratic institutions manipulate and exploit for personal gain. We will fight this injustice with every atom of strength in our veins for the sake of the people of Edo State and the future of democracy. I call upon all well-meaning citizens of Edo and indeed all Nigerians who believe in the principle of democracy and justice to stand with us in this moment of crisis.
“We cannot allow tyranny operation to take root in our society, we must resist the forces that seek to undermine our freedom and trample upon our rights.”
He, however, appealed to the judiciary to ensure justice prevails, saying, “To the members of the Edo State House of Assembly who have chosen to forsake their oath of office and partake in this charade, I say this, history will judge harshly for your betrayal of the people who elected you to represent their interests. But know this, you do not have the power to silence the voice of justice and truth.
“I call upon the judiciary and all relevant authorities to intervene and uphold the principles of justice and fairness. Let the truth prevail over lies. Let the rule of law triumph over lawlessness. I am confident that the legal system will vindicate me and expose the sham that has been orchestrated against me.”
He added that his impeachment would not deter him from fighting for the rights and freedom of Nigerians.
“I want to reaffirm my commitment to the people of Edo State to the values that bind us together as a collective. I will not be deterred or intimidated by those who seek to subvert our democracy. I will continue to fight for the rights and freedoms of Edolites by extension Nigerians that suffer oppression. I will stand firm in my resolve to seek justice.
Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu impeached
“As we stand united in the face of tyranny and oppression, I urge all to remain calm and go about our lawful duties as good citizens and true democrats. Together, we will overcome this chapter in our history and emerge stronger and more resolute in our pursuit of freedom and justice in our society,” he added.
