Edo: Shaibu rejects impeachment, banks on judiciary as Omobayo takes over

Edo: Shaibu rejects impeachment, banks on judiciary as Omobayo takes over

Impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State Philip Shaibu has rejected his impeachment by the state house of assembly and vowed to fight back through the court.

Members of the assembly on Monday announced Shaibu’s impeachment after adopting the report of a seven-man investigative panel by state chief judge.

Shaibu was accused of misconduct, perjury and disclosure of government secrets.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, thereafter swore in Omobayo Marvellous Godwins as a new deputy governor of the state.

Shaibu, reacting via a video posted on his X handle, said the allegations levelled against him by the lawmakers were “trumped-up charges” because he dared to declare his ambition to contest the 2024 Edo governorship election under the PDP.

He called on the judiciary and lovers of democracy to stand with him in the fight against what he called injustice

“I’m confident that that legal system will vindicate me and expose the sham that has been orchestrated against me,” he said.

His speech also read in part, “I denounce in the 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 democratic principles we hold dear.

“It is a dangerous descent 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 2024 Edo State governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party, an ambition that is a legal right of all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It is a sad reality that, in our political landscape, ambition is met with resistance, and those in power seek to silence opposition through illegitimate means.

“I have dedicated my life to serving the good people of Edo state with integrity and honesty.”

Meanwhile, the newly sworn-in deputy governor, Omobayo, is 38 years old.

Born July 19, 1986, Omobayo is said to be a “seasoned engineer with a proven track record of progressive professional experience in the oil and gas sector”.

His profile shows that he has a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and MSc in Public Administration from the University of Benin, UNIBEN.