Impeached deputy governor of Edo state, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has vowed to seek redress, declaring that “we will fight this injustice with every strength in us for the sake of Edo State and the future of Democracy.”
He also discribed his impeachment as illegal and a threat to the foundation of our democracy.
BRANDPOWER reports that he Edo House of Assembly on Monday impeached the Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu.
The impeachment followed the adoption of the recommendation of a seven-man judicial panel led by retired Justice Stephen Omonua.
At plenary in Benin, the Majority leader of the house, Charity Aiguobarueghian said the report of the 7-man panel presented to the house found Shauibu culpable of disclosure of government secrets.
Aiguobarueghian further disclosed that though the panel was unable to establish the case of perjury against the deputy governor, it made two findings and one recommendation upon which the decision to impeach the deputy governor was anchored.
According to him, “the seven-man judicial panel of inquiry recommended that the deputy governor be impeached on ground of disclosure of government secrets.’’
During voting on the motion, 18 out of 19 members present at plenary voted for the impeachment of the deputy governor while one abstained from the head count and voting process.
The Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai conducted a head count of the lawmakers who voted for and against the impeachment of Shaibu.
The clerk said with the figure, the house stated that it met 2/3 (16 members of the House was needed to carry out the impeachment).
The assembly thereafter upheld and approved the recommendation of the seven-man panel and thereafter impeached the deputy governor.
The speaker, Blessing Agbebaku directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai to forward copies of the impeachment to Gov. Godwin Obaseki for assent.
Shaibu reacts
However, Shaibu who reacted to the development through his official X handle said: “We will fight this injustice with every altum of strength in our vain for the sake of the people.
“And for the members of Edo State House of Assembly who have chosen to forsake their oath of office and participate in the charade, history will judge you for your betrayal of the people who elected you to represent them.
“But know this, you do not have power to silent the voice of justice and truth.”
Continuing, Shaibu who called on the judiciary to intervane added, “I am confidence that the legal system will vindicate me and expose the sham that have been orchestrated against me.
“Let it be clear that this impeachment came because of my ambition to contest the 2023 Edo State Governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“An ambition that is legal. I denounce in the strongest terms, the illegal impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly.
“This is not just an attack on me as an individual but on our very democratic principles,” he stated.
