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Tag: Philip Shaibu

  • VIDEO: Watch Philip Shaibu reacts to his impeachment

    VIDEO: Watch Philip Shaibu reacts to his impeachment

    Philip Shaibu has reacted following his impeachment from the position of the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Edo House of Assembly impeached Shaibu on Monday.

    The impeachment followed the adoption of the recommendation of a seven-man judicial panel led by retired Justice Stephen Omonua.

    Reacting, Shaibu said the impeachment was illegal.

    Watch video below:

    Meanwhile, at plenary in Benin, the Majority leader of the house, Charity Aiguobarueghian had said the report of the 7-man panel presented to the house found Shaibu culpable of disclosure of government secrets.

    Aiguobarueghian further disclosed that though the panel was unable to establish the case of perjury against the deputy governor, it made two findings and one recommendation upon which the decision to impeach the deputy governor was anchored.

    According to him, “the seven-man judicial panel of inquiry recommended that the deputy governor be impeached on ground of disclosure of government secrets.’’

    During voting on the motion, 18 out of 19 members present at plenary voted for the impeachment of the deputy governor while one abstained from the head count and voting process.

    The Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai conducted a head count of the lawmakers who voted for and against the impeachment of Shaibu.

    The clerk said with the figure, the house stated that it met 2/3 (16 members of the House was needed to carry out the impeachment).

    The assembly thereafter upheld and approved the recommendation of the seven-man panel and thereafter impeached the deputy governor.

    The speaker, Blessing Agbebaku directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai to forward copies of the impeachment to Gov. Godwin Obaseki for assent.

  • BREAKING: Edo Assembly impeaches deputy gov, Philip Shaibu

    BREAKING: Edo Assembly impeaches deputy gov, Philip Shaibu

    The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday impeached the embattled state deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

    The impeachment followed the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the state Chief Judge to probe allegations of misconduct against Shaibu.

    The panel in its reports said the allegation of perjury was not proved beyond reasonable doubt by the complainant against the deputy governor, while that of disclosure of government official documents was proved beyond reasonable doubt against the deputy governor.

    At the plenary, 20 members attended,18 members voted in favour of the panel’s reports, while one voted against.

    The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbrbaku directed that a clean copy of the impeachment decision by the House be sent to the Governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki for assent.

    Details to follow…

  • Impeachment: Edo CJ reviews panel probing Shaibu

    Impeachment: Edo CJ reviews panel probing Shaibu

    The Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has reviewed the panel constituted to investigate the allegations levelled against the state deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

    This is part of the processes initiated by the assembly to impeach the deputy governor.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Registrar of thestate High Court,Mr Benson Osawaru on Monday in Benin.

    In the new list, two members, Prof Violet Aigbokhaebo and Prof Boniface Edegbai, were dropped.

    The list was earlier released on Friday.

    Other members are Prof. Theresa Akpoghome, Mr Oghogho Oviasu,. Dr Andrew Oliha, Mr Idris Abdulkareen, Mr President Aigbokhian and Mariam Ilavbare.

    The new members are President Aigbokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.

    According to the statement, retired Justice Steve Omonua is chairman of the panel.

    This, the CJ, said was in line with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

  • Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu loses bid to stop impeachment process against him

    Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu loses bid to stop impeachment process against him

    Edo state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has lost his bid to stop impeachment process against him after a federal High Court in Abuja  refused to grant an ex-parte motion filed by him

    Shaibu had approached the court seeking  an interim order to stop the impeachment process by the state’s House of Assembly.

    The outcome of the Federal High Court negate reports by other news platforms saying that his order to stop the impeachment process was granted by the court.

    However, in the ruling dated March 13, sighted by pressmen on Tuesday, the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, declined the deputy governor’s prayers.

    It reads: “That the motion ex-parte for interim injunction dated and filed 8th day of March 2024 is hereby refused.”

    Meanwhile, at the proceedings on Tuesday, the judge fixed Wednesday for hearing in another motion ex-parte brought by the plaintiff seeking substituted service on the defendants due to his inability to serve them.

    In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, the Edo State Government, Edo State Governor, Edo State House of Assembly, Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, the Clerk of the Assembly, the Chief Judge of Edo State, Inspector General of Police and Director General of the Department of State Services were listed as the first to eighth defendants.

    Shaibu, in the suit, sought an order of the court restricting the third to fifth defendants from commencing any process by issuing a notice of allegation, holding proceedings, or setting up any panel of investigation for his removal pending the hearing of a motion on notice.

    He also sought an interim injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves or their agents, from interfering with the subject matter of the originating summons filed in the suit either by way of taking any adverse actions in relation to any attempt or process targeted at his removal from office as the deputy governor of Edo State pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

    Other reliefs sought are: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st to 8th defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, officials, representatives, and or any other person or authority acting through them, from preventing the plaintiff either by threat of removal from office or adverse actions capable of hindering the plaintiff from performing his official duties and discharging his responsibilities as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, including attending State Executive Council meetings, functions and other duties.

    “An order of interim injunction directing the defendants herein jointly, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, officials, representatives, or any other person or authority acting through them, to maintain status quo ante bellum prevailing before the issuance of the purported notice or petition to commence removal of the Plaintiff from office pending the hearing and the final determination of the motion on notice. ”

     

     

  • Speaker of Edo Assembly opens up over impeachment of Shaibu

    Speaker of Edo Assembly opens up over impeachment of Shaibu

    Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku has opened up on the decision to impeach the Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Agbebaku to have said the decision to serve an impeachment notice on Shaibu was a unanimous decision reached by 21 of 24 members.

    Agbebaku made this known when he received members of the Catholic Men Organization of Nigeria, Benin Province, in his office in Benin on Tuesday.

    The group, led by Mr Steven Apologun, said they were in the assembly to intervene in the impeachment move the House was making against the Deputy Governor.

    The Speaker thanked the members of the organisation for the peace move but stressed that the decision was beyond him.

    Agbebaku noted that the decision reached by the house to serve the impeachment rested on all 24 members out of which 21 signed the petition.

    “I am the head of this Assembly, made up of 24 members. However, any decision taken is what I follow.

    “21 out of 24 signed and as a servant of the other 23 members, I do not have much to say,” he said.

    According to him, if there is ever going to be any resolution of the issue, it will be determined by the majority of the members of the house and not him alone.

    Earlier, Apologun, the Provisional President of the group, appealed for caution so that the legislature would not be perceived as being an instrument of political witch-hunt against the deputy governor.

    He added that the church was seeking an amicable resolution to the disagreement between the deputy governor and Governor Godwin Obaseki in the interest of peace.

  • Impeachment: Catholic Priest begs Gov. Obaseki for Shaibu

    Impeachment: Catholic Priest begs Gov. Obaseki for Shaibu

    The Parish Priest of St. Francis Catholic Church, Benin, Rev. Fr. Andrew Obinyan, on Sunday made a passionate appeal to Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo over the impeachment notice served on his deputy, Philip Shaibu.

    The State House of Assembly had on Wednesday, March 6, commenced impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor over alleged perjury and disclosure of government secrets.

    In a statement in Benin, Fr. Obinyan appealed to the governor to leave his deputy alone to deal with his issues and resolve them without initiating impeachment.

    The priest also pleaded with Obaseki to prevail on the state House of Assembly to discontinue the impeachment process.

    “Honourable Members must ensure that legislation prohibits any move that bears the semblance of retaliation.

    “I entreat you because I regard you as a civilized and enlightened man. May it not be in the annals of Edo political history that there was once a Deputy Governor, impeached under your watch for his aspiration.

    “It will be perceived as a sting of betrayal and it will invariably redefine loyalty and aspiration as antithetical.

    “Please, do not get me wrong because this is far more polite than you can imagine. This is the kernel of my entreaty,” Obinyan appealed.

    Speaking further, the Catholic Priest noted that reconciliation was always a prosperous option and urged the governor to listen to his kind heart.

    He said ”I am not insinuating he must be governor. Yet, we cannot justify an impeachment without putting a wedge on the path of positive advancement in other spheres of life.

    “Do yourselves a favour because you don’t know the next victim in sudden political twists and turns.

    “Dear Mr Governor, here is the point, bear with Comrade Philip Shaibu, not for his sake but for the sake of your own indomitable spirit.

    “What I see in you is what I see in your Deputy, a resolute spirit. We often say only God can determine who gets power.

    “This saying should not be personalised and meaningful only when it is to our advantage.

    “When you were at your lowest point and facing your political trials, your rock bottom foundation was the support from Edo people and your deputy, who you used to call your brother,” he added.

    According to Obinyan, “I am pleading. Your silence has been golden.

    “Continue to be a big brother to him. Feel for the number two man who seeks power so passionately and determinedly without your support.”

    He stated that a man whose level of determination makes him literally stressed out, worried, burdened, spending strength and resources, deserves empathy not impeachment.

  • Edo governorship: Nothing can stop me – Philip Shaibu

    Edo governorship: Nothing can stop me – Philip Shaibu

    Edo Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, says intimidation and harassment will not change his resolve in the pursuit of his political ambition.

    Shaibu said this while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

    Shaibu emerged the party’s candidate in a parallel primary held on Thursday to choose a standard bearer for the upcoming governorship election in Edo.

    He alleged so much intimidation and harassment of people in the build up to the primary.

    “The level of intimidation and harassment meted out to me and those people who believe in me was beyond comprehension, yet it does not actually change our resolve in what we believe in.

    “People were sacked, some civil servants were suspended, others transferred from their position and taken away from their family comfort to different places, all because they were associating with me.

    “Well, I dare say that anybody still intimidating or harassing anybody means that he is not ready to win an election“, he told newsmen.

    He, therefore, said that his emergence as a candidate was no longer about him but the people, adding that it was imperative the party listened to the voice of the people.

    He said if the party truly desired to win the election on Sept. 21 it would field a popular and competent candidate not impose a candidate on the people.

    He also said that the PDP must adhere to the electoral laws and party guidelines to be able to win the upcoming election in the state.

    He explained that there were party guidelines for electing a governorship candidate, just as there is an electoral law guiding political activities.

    Shaibu further said for the PDP to win the upcoming governorship election in the state, it should adhere strictly to its own rules and guidelines.

    The deputy governor also alleged that elections were about contestation, noting that the other primary that produced Mr Asue Ighodalo as its candidate disenfranchised 381 delegates.

    “The electoral law forbids exclusion. An election can be re-ordered because of exclusion, it is a major sin that the law forbids“, he told newsmen.

    He said though political parties have the right to produce candidates, such rights must comply with the electoral laws and the party’s own guidelines.

    “If the guideline is not followed in the process of producing your candidate, that candidate cannot see the light of day.

    “So the ultimate right of any party is to follow your rules in producing your candidate”, Shaibu said.

    Recall that Ighodalo defeated about nine other candidates including the Deputy Governor of the state in the election.

    He had vote 577 votes to become the candidate of the PDP in the Sept. 21 governorship election in the state while his closest rival garnered one vote.

    The Chairman, Edo PDP Primary Electoral Committee and Gov of Dauda Lawal Zamfara declared him as the winner of the exercise.

    However, in a parallel exercise, Shaibu was declared winner of the election.

    The returning officer, Bartholomew Moses, declared: “during the counting of this primary election, Philip Shaibu has a score of 301 votes.

    “Therefore, I hereby declare Philip Shaibu as the authentic elected candidate for this election in the PDP.”

  • Edo 2024: PDP will fail if they field Ighodalo for guber elections – Philip Shaibu

    Edo 2024: PDP will fail if they field Ighodalo for guber elections – Philip Shaibu

    Philip Shaibu, the deputy Governor of Edo state has issued out a stern warning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)against fielding any other person apart from him for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in the state, saying it will spell doom for the party.

    Recall that Asue Ighodalo won the PDP primary at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Thursday; Philip Shaibu won the parallel election at a different venue.

    However, speaking on the development on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Shuaibu maintained that he is the authentic candidate of the party for the September 21 election, saying that Edo people do not want Ighodalo whom he said is not homeboy.

    “The option is for the PDP not to go and argue against my candidacy, if they do that PDP will lose Edo State. Edo people do not want Asue Ighodalo to be the governor of Edo State because he is not a homeboy they know.

    “They are looking for someone that they know, somebody they can feel, somebody they can touch. PDP has a date with history, delegates have spoken that they want Shuaibu and I can bet you that the other eight aspirants will support Shuaibu if they party back him.

    “If the party decides to join us in court to argue for Ighodalo then PDP then winning Edo State for PDP will be shaky because Asue will not be accepted by the people,” Shaibu said.

    Shuaibu  faulted the primary that produced Ighodalo, saying that it was organised by the state party executive instead of the national executive of the party.

    H e added that members of the state executive and the governor are supporters of Ighodalo and therefore were not going to conduct an unbiased election.

    Shaibu insisted that he was elected by the authentic delegates of the party in the state.

    “I was elected by the authentic delegates, what is key is who are those that elected the governor’s preferred candidate Asue and who are those that elected Philip Shaibu? I think in the coming days we will know who among them are authentic,” he said.

    Shaibu also said his relationship with Governor Godwin Obaseki is not the best at the moment, suggesting that his governorship ambition could be the reason behind the strained relationship with the governor.

  • I can’t be intimidated out of Edo guber race – Shaibu

    I can’t be intimidated out of Edo guber race – Shaibu

    Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, says he cannot be intimidated out of the Sept. 21 governorship election, because he has all it takes to win.

    Shaibu, stated this when he returned his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form for the governorship election, at the party national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.

    The deputy governor, who alleged that some elders of the party had been bought over, however, expressed delight that youths and some elders were strongly behind him.

    “By the grace of God, our support is organic, it is not procured. I am not an aspirant that is being pushed; I am not an aspirant that is cut off from the people.

    “Edo people, the voters know me, they touch me, they feel me. We have already dealt with the issue of godfatherism but it is rearing its ugly head again.

    “I am happy that the governor had told us that even if he tries to impose somebody on us as the new godfather, that we should deal with him.

    “We are standing on the mandate of the people. My support is organic and with Shaibu, PDP will retain its seat in Edo state,” he said.

    Shaibu added:“We started the journey of rescuing Edo state in 2006 and we were conscious of what we wanted to achieve.

    “We said that we needed to take our state back and return it to the people and we did take the state back and returned it to the people.

    “Along the line, something happened and the state is about to be hijacked again and we said no.

    “This election is another challenge, they want to take the state from Edo people and return it to Businessmen and we are saying no because Edo state cannot return to Egypt.”

    “Edo state will continually move forward and the only way it can move forward is if power resides with the people.

    “PDP says Power to the People, and not power to business friends or business colleagues”.

    Shaibu said he was in the race not because of any inordinate ambition, but for his desire to save Edo from businessmen who wanted to take over the state.

    “We have already dealt with the issue of godfatherism but it is rearing its ugly head again.

    “I am happy that the governor had told us that even if he tries to impose somebody on us as the new godfather, that we should deal with him.

    Shaibu expressed confidence that if given PDP’s ticket, there would be massive movement of people to the party, adding that PDP would not only win the election, Edo would be made a reference point in Nigeria.

    He said that he had already developed a blueprint of what he wanted to do when elected the state governor.

    “I have set up a committee already on what we are going to do. I understand the feelings of the people.

    “We already have our plans on what we are going to do,” he said.

    At the party secretariat, PDP Deputy National Organising Secretary, Pascal Adigwe, while acknowledging Shaibu’s his record of achievements, urged him and other PDP aspirants to embrace peace in the pursuit of their ambition.

    “We know you as we know others. It is our hope and belief that in this race, you will run it well. We are only begging, let there be peace.

    “Let us go into the primary and ultimately the election, putting peace in front.

    “You know that we are not scared of the other side of peace but please let us go peacefully.

    “Secondly, let us consider the wishes of the people we want to govern, how do they want to be governed and we can craft our aspirations and ambitions around what the people want.

    “Thirdly, extra commitment, extra unity of purpose, extra struggle cannot be overemphasized. So,  we are begging, hold our party strong,” he said.

    He added: “You are not new in contesting elections, we are not new in encountering you.

    “So, you know what to do and you know that in the elections that you have contested in the past, you have always won, meaning that someone has also always lost and the person didn’t die.

    “So, elections can be won or lost depending on how God wants it.

    “All I am asking is, you win, you stay, you lose, you stay.”

  • I haven’t gotten allocation in six months – Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu

    I haven’t gotten allocation in six months – Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu

    Philip Shaibu, the Edo State Deputy Governor has revealed that he has not received the allocation to his office in the last six months, saying that he has been running his office on personal budget.

    Shaibu made this known at the commissioning of the secretariat of the Correspondents Chapel of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin City.

    Present at the event include personalities such as Anslem Ojezua, Oserhiemen Osunbor and Matthew Urhoghide, who are also aspirants in the 2024 Edo governorship race.

    Shaibu said he is an aspirant for the Edo State 2024 governorship election and that he would continue to identify with the media which saved his life under the military before the return to democracy in 1999.

    He said, “I am your ambassador anywhere I am. This is not because of politics, but because of what you have done to save my life in the cause of doing your work.

    “I would have done more, but you know there is tension between the governor, (Godwin Obaseki), and I and for six months, no allocation to my office, so whatever I am doing is contributions from friends and my goodwill and

    I am still standing very strong, I will continue to be strong, because for me, Edo should be one, Edo at every time should be paramount in our minds.

    “I wouldn’t have been deputy governor today if I am not alive, but there was a journalist that investigated and wrote a report, saved my life in the hands of the military.”

    He reiterated his commitment to putting the state first and vowed to strengthen the institution responsible for putting him in power.