Almost one year after allegation of plot to impeach Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu first surfaced when he went to court asking that it stop the plot, Edo State House of Assembly on Monday finally impeached Shaibu as deputy governor, a position he has held for more than seven years.
At plenary on Monday eighteen members of the Edo State House of Assembly, voted to impeach Shaibu, following the consideration of the report of the seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa. The impeachment is the first in the state.
In attendance at the House sitting were 20 members including the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku but 18 members voted for the impeachment while one member abstained.
The Clerk of the House read out Order 10 in the day's order paper which was the presentation and consideration of the seven-man panel report of allegation of gross misconduct against the deputy governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu.
Shortly after that the Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghan, representing Ovia North East I, moved that the report be considered. His motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Eric Okaka, Owan East.
Thereafter, the Speaker assumed chairman of the committee of the whole House to consider the report, after the Majority and Minority Leaders moved and seconded a motion to that effect, respectively.
During the presentation of the report, Donald Okogbe, Akoko-Edo II, rose to object to part C of the report but his objection was overruled by the Speaker.
The House thereafter resolved that the allegation of perjury against the deputy governor was not proved but held that the second allegation of disclosure of official secrets was proved against the deputy governor.
The Majority Leader further moved that with regard to section 188 subsection 9 of the Constitution, the report be put to vote. At the end of the voting exercise, 18 members voted in support of the impeachment while one member abstained.
In his comment, the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, said more than two-third majority of the House voted and endorsed the impeachment.
"I hereby from my seat announce that the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, stands impeached", he stressed.
Genesis
In April 2023, Shaibu approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to stop a purported plan to impeach him and also stop security agencies and agents of the governor from harassing him.
In the suit documents marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023 between Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu who is the Plaintiff/Applicant and The Inspector General of Police, State Security Service, The Governor of Edo State, The Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and The Chief Judge of Edo State who are Defendants/Respondents, Shaibu wanted the court through an interlocutory injunction to restrain the governor who is the third defendant/respondent "or his agents or persons acting for and on his behalf from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing and preventing the Plaintiff/Applicant in carrying out the functions of his office as Deputy Governor of Edo State including attending State Executive Council Meetings/Functions and other duties pertaining to his office pending the hearing and determination of the substantive and to also restrain the governor from using the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the House State House of Assembly "whether by themselves or their agents or persons acting for and on their behalf from initiating impeachment proceedings against the plaintiff with a view to removing him from office as the Deputy Governor of Edo State."
The allegation was denied by the house of the assembly and the governor and that led to the open crisis between Obaseki and Shaibu.
At the peak of the crisis, Obaseki relocated the deputy governor's office out of government house and the intervention of some religious leaders made Shaibu withdraw the case from the court.
The house of assembly eventually used the issues he raised in the court to impeach him, accusing him of revealing official secrets contrary to the oath of secrecy he swore to protect.
Shaibu reacts
In a video released by Shaibu, he described his impeachment as an attack not only on him but also on democratic principles.
He said "I denounce in the strongest terms the illegal impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly over trump up charges. This is not just an attack on me as an individual but on the very democratic principles that 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 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 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.
"I have worked tirelessly to improve the life of our citizens, I have upheld the values of democracy and justice, yet in return I am faced with baseless accusations and a blank disregard for due process and rule of law.
"The allegations brought against me are nothing more than a smokescreen to conceal the true motive behind this impeachment.
"It's a fragrant abuse of power and a betrayal of the trust that 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 strength in our vein for the sake of the people of Edo State and the future of democracy.
"I call upon all well-meaning citizens of Edo State 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 and operation to take roots in our society. We must resist the forces that seek to undermine our freedom and trample upon our rights. To the members of Edo State of Assembly who have chosen to forsake their oath of office and participate 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."
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