Philip Shaibu, reinstated deputy governor of Edo state
BY Ayodele Oluwafemi
Philip Shaibu has formally announced his resumption as the deputy governor of Edo state.
In July, James Omotosho, presiding judge of the federal high court in Abuja, nullified the removal of Shaibu as deputy governor.
The judge held that Shaibu’s impeachment violated the provisions of the law.
The court declared that Shaibu’s ouster on April 8, 2024 by the Edo state house of assembly was “politically motivated”.
The judge ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement and directed the inspector-general of police to restore his security detail.
After Shaibu was removed, Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state, picked Omobayo Godwins as his deputy.
Reacting to Shaibu’s reinstatement, Godwins said he remains the “authentic” deputy governor of Edo state.
In a video on X on Monday, Shaibu said his reinstatement is a “testament to the divine grace of God and the steadfast prayer of all Nigerians”.
Shaibu claimed an assassination attempt was made on his life when he returned to Benin, the state capital, after he was reinstated.
He said the bullet “killed” a police officer attached to Monday Okpebholo, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September election.
Shaibu added that he has not received any response from Obaseki on the reinstatement of his aides.
“My reinstatement as deputy governor of Edo state is testament to the divine grace of God and the steadfast prayer of all Nigerians,” Shaibu said.
“In recent weeks, the federal high court in Abuja reinstated me as the deputy governor of Edo, acknowledging the illegality of the impeachment.
“Upon my arrival in Benin, a tragic event occurred as an assassination attempt was made on my life.
“Thankfully, the bullet missed its mark, unfortunately, hit an armed policeman assigned to the APC governorship candidate for the upcoming September election.
“Following my return to office, I have formally requested the governor’s approval for the reinstatement of aides. However, I have yet to receive a response from him.”
Shaibu ordered workers attached to the office of the deputy governor to resume at their duty posts.
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