Godwin Obaseki, the Governor of Edo State, has announced that Philip Shaibu, the beleaguered Deputy Governor, will remain impeached.
Obaseki made the comments on Friday in response to a comment attributed to Shaibu, which warned Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to be wary of political appointees attempting to pillage government properties.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki told Edo workers to disregard what he described as “infantile ramblings,” claiming that Shaibu is impeached until the court’s decision and thus lacks the power and authority to issue directives or warnings to any Edo State Government employees.
Recall that in July, the Federal High Court in Abuja overturned Philip Shaibu’s impeachment as Edo State’s deputy governor.
Justice James Omotosho ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement to office after the Edo State House of Assembly failed to follow due process in impeaching him.
On Tuesday, September 24, Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed two separate motions filed by the Edo State Government and the State House of Assembly challenging Philip Shaibu’s reinstatement as Deputy Governor of the State. The court imposed a total cost of ₦400,000 on the Edo State Government and State Assembly.
The court imposed a total cost of ₦400,000 on the Edo State Government and State Assembly.
In response to Shaibu’s status as deputy governor, Obaseki stated in a statement on Friday that “our attention has been drawn to the very ridiculous statement purportedly signed by the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, in which he warned Permanent Secretaries and Heads of MDAs to guard against the looting of government properties by political appointees.
“We want to restate that Philip Shaibu remains impeached as the Deputy Governor of Edo State until the court’s determination and therefore lacks the power and authority to issue directives or warnings to Permanent Secretaries, Heads of MDAs, or any staff employed by the Edo State Government.
“We urge all Edo workers to disregard the infantile ramblings of the impeached deputy governor and continue with their lawful duties without fear of intimidation or harassment while ensuring the delivery of quality and effective service to the people of Edo State.”
