Barely hours after his impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly, former deputy governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has vowed to challenge his removal from office in court.
Shaibu, in a video, described his impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly, as “a dangerous descent to dictatorship and threat to democracy, “ adding that he is being persecuted over his ambition to succeed his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The former deputy governor said the action by the House of Assembly was a flagrant abuse of power and betrayal of trust that the people of Edo placed on their elected officials.
He vowed to fight his impeachment, which he called illegal and unjust, with every ounce of strength in his vein for the sake of the people of Edo State.
Eighteen members of the Edo State House of Assembly, yesterday, impeached Shaibu, following the consideration of the report of the seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Omobayo was sworn in by the Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, at a ceremony in Government House. The event was attended by party faithful and traditional rulers mainly for Akoko-Edo local government areas of the state.
Reacting to his impeachment via a four minutes and fifty seconds video, Shaibu said the act of the State Assembly is dangerous, dictatorial and a threat to democracy.
He denounced, “in strongest terms”, the impeachment exercise, saying it is illegal and based on trumped up charges.
He added that the exercise is not just an attack on him, but “on the democratic principle that we holds dear,”
Shaibu said, “It is a dangerous descent to 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 Edo State 2024 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 ambition is met with resistance and those in power seek to silence opposition through legitimate means I have dedicated my life to serve the people of Edo State with integrity and honesty and up hold the value of democracy yet I was faced with business accusation and a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
“It is a flagrant abuse of power and betrayal of trust that the people of Edo place on their elected officials. We will fight this injustice with every ounce of strength in our vein for the sake of the people of Edo state.
“To the members of the Edo state house of assembly who have chosen to forsake their oath office and participate in this charade, I say this that history will judge harshly for your betrayal of the people who represent you, I call on this Judiciary to intervene, let the rule of law triumph over lawlessness,” he said.
