TELL Magazine

The ousted deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has described his impeachment based on what he described as “trumped-up charges” on Monday April 8 as “illegal”, “an injustice”, and attack on the foundation of the country’s democracy, and vowed to fight it “with every iota of strength in our being” for the sake of the people of Edo State and the future of democracy.

In his reaction to the development in a broadcast posted on his official X handle (formerly Twitter), the embattled former deputy governor attributed his impeachment to his decision to contest the September 21 governorship election in Edo State on the platform of his party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. He accused members of the House of Assembly of having “forsaken their oaths of office and participated in this charade”, stressing that history will judge harshly their betrayal of the people who elected them to represent their interest.

Shaibu said in the four minutes, 50 seconds broadcast: “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 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 People’s Democratic Party PDP, an ambition that is a legal right to all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

According to him, “It is a sad reality that in our political landscape, ambition is met with resistance as 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 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 rule of law”.

Shaibu insisted that “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 betrayal of the trust the people of Edo State have placed in their elected officials”.

Vowing to seek legal redress, he said “We refuse to stay inactive while our democratic institutions are being manipulated and exploited for personal gains. We will fight this injustice with every iota of strength in our being for the sake of the people of Edo State and the future of democracy”.

Shaibu therefore called on 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 said he would not be deterred or intimidated by those who seek to subvert our democracy.”

Though Shaibu had opportunity to defend himself, he however bungled it. The seven- man impeachment panel headed Justice S.A. Omonuwa (retd.) ended its sitting last Friday, April 5, after he failed to appear before the panel that probed allegations of perjury and leaking of the government’s secrets against him.

The panel, which had its inaugural sitting two days earlier, (Wednesday April 3) ended its sitting on Friday with neither Shaibu nor his counsel, Prof Oladoyin Awoyale, senior advocate of Nigeria, SAN, showing up. The panel had adjourned till Thursday for Shaibu to open his defence. When he didn’t show up, he was given yet another opportunity to appear on Friday, but he still refused to take advantage of it.

The Edo State House of Assembly, which is the petitioner in the case, had on Wednesday opened and closed its case, paving the way for Shaibu to defend the allegations levelled against him.

Counsel to the former deputy governor had attended the inaugural sitting but excused himself in the middle of the hearing after the panel refused his prayer to suspend the proceedings pending the outcome of a lawsuit in Abuja. The panel chairman, Justice Omonuwa, upheld the objection to the suspension prayer by the Assembly, represented by its Deputy Clerk, Joe Ohiafi. After Awoyale excused himself, Ohiafi went on to state the Assembly case against Shaibu.

In his submission, the Deputy Clerk told the panel that Shaibu leaked the Edo State government’s secrets in the affidavit he filed in support of his suit in Abuja. He said Shaibu tendered documents relating to the State Executive Council’s meeting.

According to Ohiafi, Shaibu violated the Oath of Secrecy he took and acted contrary to the provisions of Schedule 7 of the 1999 Constitution. At Friday’s sitting, the Assembly was represented by its Legal Officer, N.U. Ibrahim, who appeared with two others.

Ruling on the development, the Chairman noted that “the panel adjourned sitting for the last time for today (Friday) to allow the respondent to defend himself. The panel shall retire to go and write its report as required by the constitution”.

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