- Former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu criticized Edo State House members for his impeachment, condemning it as betrayal and injustice
- Shaibu, in a video message, urged judiciary intervention, denouncing the impeachment as an attack on democracy and freedom
Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has strongly criticized the members of the Edo State House of Assembly who voted to impeach him on Monday.
Shaibu, who has been in conflict with Governor Godwin Obaseki, was removed from office by the lawmakers following the adoption of a report by a seven-man investigative panel tasked with probing allegations of misconduct against him.
In response to his ousting, Obaseki swiftly announced the appointment of a 38-year-old Engineer as the new deputy governor.
Expressing his disapproval of the impeachment, Shaibu condemned the Assembly members for what he termed an act of betrayal and subversion of justice. He warned them that history would harshly judge their betrayal of the people who elected them to represent their interests.
In a video posted on his social media account shortly after the impeachment, Shaibu asserted that the Assembly members lacked the power to silence the voice of truth and justice. He called upon the judiciary and other relevant authorities to intervene and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.
Shaibu said, “To the members of the Edo House of Assembly, who have chosen to forsake their oath of office and participate in this charade, I say this: history will judge you hardly for your betrayal of the people who elected you to represent their interest.
“But know this, you do not have the power to silence the voice of power and truth”, calling for the support of the people as she said, “I call upon the judiciary and all relevant authorities to intervene and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.”
He said he was shown the exit because of his ambition to run for the office of the governor, which he described as “an ambition that is legal right.”
“It is with heavy heart yet a resolute spirit that I come before you to address the recent events that have unfolded within our dear state. I denounce in strongest terms the illegal impeachment by the Edo state house of assembly over trumped-up charges, this is not just an attack on me as an individual but on the very democratic principles that we hold dear.
“It’s a dangerous descent into dictatorship, 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 Governorship election 2024 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”
“My good people of Edo State, thank you all for standing by me under these troubling circumstances as the Deputy Governor of Edo State,” he added.