Eighteen members of the Edo State House of Assembly, on Monday, voted to impeach the deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu.
This follows the consideration of the report of the seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
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 deputy governor’s impeachment commenced with the Clerk of the House reading out Order 10, presentation and consideration of the report of the seven-man panel, which probed allegations of perjury and leaking of the government’s secrets against Shaibu.
Shortly after, the Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghan, representing Ovia North East 1, moved that the report be considered. His motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Eric Okaka, Owan East.
Consequently, 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 proven but held that the second allegation of leaking official secrets was proved against the deputy governor.
At this stage, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Assembly moved and seconded a motion, respectively, that the Speaker revert to his position as Speaker of the House.
The Majority Leader further moved that with regard to Section 188 (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-thirds majority of the House voted and endorsed the impeachment.
“I hereby from my seat announce that the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, stands impeached,” he declared.
Hours after Shaibu’s impeachment, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, announced 38-year-old Marvellous Omobayo as the new deputy governor.
Omobayo was sworn in on Monday at the Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Obaseki said the choice of the new deputy governor would provide the needed impetus to rally around all interests and persuasions within the state.
Obaseki said, “At 38, the new deputy governor is a symbol of our undying belief in the power of our youth to transform our dear state, bringing vigour and renewed energy to the drive to place young people at the centre of our politics and developmental agenda. He is a man for this season.
“As there cannot be a vacuum in government, we have by consensus selected Omobayo Marvellous to take over the baton as the new deputy governor of our dear state.
“A thorough-bred young professional, his choice will provide the needed impetus to rally round all interests and persuasions within the state to work more closely together in realising our vision for a viable, strong and prosperous state that will be the envy of all.”
In his remarks, the new deputy governor promised to build on the achievements of the Obaseki administration in the state.
Omobayo said, “The oath of office l have just taken is my legal acceptance speech. It defines the legal limits that l can or cannot exceed while in office. Beyond this legal ceremony, it is imperative that l publicly express my profound gratitude to our respected Executive Governor, His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party.
“After all the very painful and thought-provoking distractions of the past few months, our governor is determined to finish his second term very strong. From his dialogue with me, it is clear that he is very determined to bequeath a legacy of peace, unity, progress and visible development to Edo State, a legacy that the next PDP regime will find exciting to proudly build upon and maintain the leadership position Edo has achieved over time in the comity of states in Nigeria.”
New deputy inspects office
Shortly after his swearing-in, the new Deputy Governor was taken around the office outside the Government House on Monday.
He was joined by security details while he was on his way out of the office to inspect his official residence.
When asked if he wanted a change in his office, Omobayo said, “What we have here is still good. We might need to make changes along the line but let us begin work.”
One of the staff in the Deputy Governor’s office said security details had already been withdrawn from Shaibu and the new deputy governor would have the full complement of security personnel who will always be with him.
“I can tell you that the security details attack to the former governor have been withdrawn while the new one will now have security that will be and work with him at all times. That is the norm and there is nothing sinister about that,” the staff said.
When quizzed whether the police officials attached to Shaibu would be withdrawn, the state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye, said, “Any public official or officer who is lawfully entitled to police protection we are going to provide.
“I am not a lawmaker, please. Anybody that is presented to us tomorrow as legally elected and entitled to security we shall provide it, that is what I mean.”
However, the police officers who provide security at the entrance of the official premises of Shaibu were still sighted there on Monday evening.
Shaibu faults impeachment
Meanwhile, Shaibu described his impeachment by the Edo Assembly as illegal.
He made his position known in a video shared on his X handle on Monday.
He said, “My good people of Edo State, I thank you all for standing by me in these troubling circumstances as the deputy governor of Edo State.
“It is with a heavy heart, yet a resolute spirit, that I come before you to address the recent events that are unfolding in our dear state. I denounce in the strongest term the illegal impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly over baseless charges.”
He added that his impeachment was an attack on democracy and a show of dictatorship.
“This is not just an attack on me as an individual but on the democracy 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 of all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is a sad reality that in our political landscape, ambition is met with resistance. Those in power seek to silence opposition through illegitimate means. I have devoted 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 the rule of law,” he said.
Speaking further, Shaibu described the allegations levelled against him as a move to conceal the real motive behind his impeachment.
He said, “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 a betrayal of the trust 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 atom of strength in our veins for the sake of the people of Edo State and the future of democracy. I call upon all well-meaning citizens of Edo 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 operation to take root in our society, we must resist the forces that seek to undermine our freedom and trample upon our rights.”
He, however, appealed to the judiciary to ensure justice prevails, saying, “To the members of the Edo State House of Assembly who have chosen to forsake their oath of office and partake 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.”
CRPP condemns impeachment
Also, the chairman of the Conference of Registered Political Parties, Edo State chapter, Samson Isibor, expressed disappointment about Shaibu’s impeachment, noting that the development was not what Edo people bargained for.
He blamed the Chief Judge of the state, Daniel Okungbowa for setting up the panel that investigated the allegation against Shaibu, adding that the speed at which the exercise was carried out showed bias against the former deputy governor.
Isibor said, “This is not what the Edo indigenes bargained for. The impeachment of the deputy governor is illegal and should not be allowed to stay.
“I blame the Chief Judge for this illegal impeachment. The process only lasted for three days, which showed that they had their mind made up on what to do. Imagine, the charade that was carried out in a few days.”
