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Tag: Shaibu

  • I’m vindicated by Oborevwori, Okowa, others defection – Shaibu

    I’m vindicated by Oborevwori, Okowa, others defection – Shaibu

    Former Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, says the defections into the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) was a vindication of his stands.

    He said that of the Delta Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and all his appointees and immediate past governor Ifeanyi Okowa was an eye opener to many that have not seen it coming.

    Shaibu, who disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, said that he foresaw and predicted this scenario while still in the PDP few years back, but was misunderstood.

    “I remember when I was leaving the PDP some of you asked me why I was leaving, and I said, I do not see a future of PDP in Nigeria because of the way the players are handling the party.

    “The players were not democratic. The leadership was not democratic, and I shouted, and then I was asked to keep quiet.

    “This is because the players that I see in charge of the party and the way I see things happening does not show what PDP actually stands for.

    “I predicted that in less than one year, as at that time, if they don’t change, the PDP will be history in Nigeria, then I was still a member of the party. So, it’s not like I was not a PDP member.’’

    The former deputy governor and one time house of representatives member said that what was happening to the PDP was not about the party, but the players.

    According to him, when you don’t feel a sense of belonging, with certain cabal feeling they are in charge and the owners of the party, then that should  be seen as a red flag.

    “Nobody is the owner of any party. All the parties in Nigeria, nobody can claim ownership, because at a particular given time, leadership emerges and those leadership cannot be forever. It’s always temporary in all parties.

    ‘’So that’s why I predicted then. I also said then that even the governors I see, I don’t see most of them remaining in the party, because some of them, I’m close to them, and I hear, and I see, and I feel what they feel.

    “Some of the feelings I have, they also share the same feeling. I see more governors leaving. No progressive governor can remain in PDP.

    “I salute the courage of the Delta governor, and I say the wisest decision he has taken in his political career is what he did on Wednesday.

  • Shaibu offers N1m bounty for information on looting in Edo as Obaseki asks Okpebholo to produce evidence

    Shaibu offers N1m bounty for information on looting in Edo as Obaseki asks Okpebholo to produce evidence

    Reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has offered N1million bounty to anyone who has information concerning alleged looting of government property as the administration winds down.

    This is just as the outgoing governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki has demanded for a water proof evidence from the incoming Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

    Shaibu in a press briefing in Benin City on Friday said he has evidence to back the alleged looting in some quarters and last minute borrowing from financial institutions.

    He also called on the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, the Department of State Services and other relevant agencies to look into the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for projects in the ministry of roads and bridges, ongoing Radisson Hotel project and last minute appointments by the outgoing administration.

    He said, “I have received disturbing reports of banks and other financial institutions, granting last-minute loans to Governor Godwin Obaseki. This is alarming, and not in good faith. Against that backdrop, I am issuing a strong warning to banks and financial institutions not to grant any loans or issue financial instruments to Governor Obaseki or any official of the state government in whatever capacity or office.

    Also, information at my disposal shows there are last-minute plans to siphon state’s fund using NGOs as a decoy, under the guise of supporting such organisations’ projects and activities.

    These actions undermine our state’s financial stability and potential mortgage of the future of Edo State. I dissociate myself and my office from any such dealings.”

    He said there were reports of indiscriminate and clandestine appointments into the civil and public service with outrageous grade levels.

    He added, “I condemn these actions and dissociate myself and my office from any involvement. These appointments have not only undermined the civil service’s integrity but also perpetuated a culture of cronyism.”

    He also alleged that consultants were being appointed and their date of engagement being backdated, allegedly to justify outrageous expenditures.

    “As the Deputy Governor of Edo State, I am inviting the EFCC and ICPC to look into the massive contract fraud that has taken place under the supervision of Ferguson Enabulele and the entire government.

    “Investigation is equally ongoing to unravel the alleged involvement of some engineers in the ministry, who agreed to assist the permanent secretary to keep such funds with their registered company accounts with banks and later convert such to US dollars.”

    A government official who pleaded anonymity said that the state government would not dignify the Shaibu with a response, noting that if he was important in the All Progressives Congress, he would have been included in Okpebholo’s transition committee.

  • Edo govt faults Shaibu’s alleged inspection of Radisson Hotel

    Edo govt faults Shaibu’s alleged inspection of Radisson Hotel

    Edo Government on Monday warned the reinstated Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu not to breach extant laws following his alleged inspection of the Radisson Hotel site in Government Reserves Area (GRA), Benin.

    Edo government is reacting to a viral video where Shaibu allegedly acted as the deputy governor of the state by inspecting the site of the Radisson hotel.

    In a statement, Special Adviser on Media Projects to Governor Godwin Obaseki , Crusoe Osagie, reminded Shaibu, although a court reinstated him as the deputy governor, the state government had appealed the reinstatement.

    Oasgie urged Shaibu not to disrupt the process of governance by breaching extant laws.

    “Shaibu, just like any private citizen, can take a tour around the exceptional projects of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    “The government, however, warns that both Philip Shaibu and the security agencies should not carry out actions that violate the laws and the constitution.

    “Shaibu should be patient and wait for the Appeal Court to hear his matter; he needs to learn to subject himself to authority of the law, ” he said.

    According to him, government enjoined the good people of Edo State to go about their lawful businesses.

    “Be rest assured that government will always ensure the protection of lives and property in line with extant laws in the state, ” he added.

  • BREAKING! Again, Shaibu floors Obaseki as Appeal Court confirms he’s authentic Deputy Gov

    BREAKING! Again, Shaibu floors Obaseki as Appeal Court confirms he’s authentic Deputy Gov

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has dismissed an appeal by the Edo State House of Assembly, affirming that Comrade Philip Shaibu remains the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

    The Appeal Court upheld the earlier decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which voided Shaibu’s impeachment and ordered his immediate reinstatement to office.

    The court warned that any individual aside from Shaibu parading themselves as Deputy Governor would face legal consequences.

    This development comes after the Edo State House of Assembly impeached Shaibu on April 8, citing reasons such as perjury and leaking government secrets.

    However, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court ruled that the impeachment procedure breached due process and ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement.

    The court also set aside the appointment of Omobayo Godwins as the new Deputy Governor, replacing Shaibu. The Inspector General of Police was directed to provide Shaibu with necessary security to enable him to resume office and perform his functions as Deputy Governor until the end of his tenure.

  • How my fight started with Obaseki – Philip Shaibu

    How my fight started with Obaseki – Philip Shaibu

    The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu has revealed the cause for the frosty relationship with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, saying it was all political.

    Shaibu, who described Obaseki as a dictator, said he became more resolved to pursue his governorship ambition after the governor threatened he would destroy him if he did not back down.

    Shaibu, who has now defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, spoke on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the APC National Working Committee in Abuja.

    He said, “The truth is that the issues were all political. I declared to contest for the governor of Edo State. That is where the fight started.”

    Looking pensive, the deputy governor told journalists that he did everything humanly possible to pacify his boss to no avail.

    “He (Obaseki) said, ‘You cannot contest because I have my plans’. The next thing was that he would destroy me if I continued. For me, no man can destroy the plan of God. As an activist, that day I made up my mind that I was going to contest. As of the time our conversation was on, I was still consulting. I went into the race and I won it because I played high-powered politics. They are not politicians. They rode on our back to where they are. In the politics I played, I actually had 400 out of the 572 delegates.

    “A week to the primary, I lost some and had 381. So I brought those 381 on the day of the primary but they were refused accreditation. They took the accreditation tags and gave to their appointees to go and do Aso Ebi reception at the stadium they call primaries. Now, the court has ruled that the delegates I had were the authentic delegates and the ones they brought were fake. So as it is, they have boxed themselves into a corner where I don’t want to go because it is a legal issue.

    “We are in court and by the grace of God, I had already been vindicated by two judgments. What is critical is that I want to prove internal democracy must be respected and allowed to play. You can lobby, you can talk to people and people will understand. If the governor had shown leadership, maybe I wouldn’t have contested because I am not a desperate person. My ambition is not inordinate. I have an ambition to fix the state. If somebody else can agree that we collectively fix it, I will follow. But the governor wanted to behave like a military dictator. And for me, we fought. I have captained people that have fought for this democracy. I started from the youth wing. I am sure I am one of the top people you will mention for this democracy that we now have. And for me, I cannot watch this democracy be derailed and allow dictatorship to take control.”

    He described as false the claim that he went away with 22 official vehicles after his impeachment.

    According to the accountant-turned-politician, the governor bought only one official car for his convoy in the seven and a half years of their administration.

    Shaibu said, “The easiest way to have a disagreement is money. Even my official entitlements, most of them I didn’t even apply for them. That is, anything that has to do with going to meet the governor to apply for anything, including my personal or official entitlement. I confined myself within the official salary that came to me. “Recently, I saw an advert that I should return 22 vehicles. Only one vehicle in the seven and a half years that the governor bought for my convoy. Only one. Every vehicle you see in my convoy, some of them, especially the Landcruiser I used for three years with a coat of arm and flag as staff car, the Prado I used as back-up for three years, was the same that I used as the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    “It was the third year of his first term that the governor eventually bought a Landcruiser jeep. Even when they were bringing the jeep, it had an accident on the way. We had to change the wheels and it took two weeks for us to fix it. I never made it an issue, because for me, anything that will bring trouble I was able to manage it. I am happy that I gave everything and I was never found wanting. I was not impeached because I stole money, I was not corrupt, or because of incompetence.

    “Today, the court has also told us that what they said was gross misconduct was never a misconduct. They said I gave out government secrets. I have worked diligently with this man. I was asked to perform his duty as acting governor and I was able to organise the security system. I have not done anything wrong to warrant impeachment.”

    When asked if he could ever forgive Obaseki for treating him as an outcast, Shaibu hesitated before nodding.

    He said, “The only person that is perfect is the Almighty God. None of us created by God is perfect. One of the greatest commandments in the world is ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ If all of us can actually take to that commandment, there will be peace in the world. But I have just discovered that there is no perfect relationship with what has happened between the governor and me.

    “From my own end, I gave everything. I gave all to have him succeed. Because, for me, it is about the state and the state in everything. So, I gave everything even my official earnings. I forfeited lots of my official entitlement. Why? It is because I didn’t want any trouble or disagreement.”

  • Okpebholo: Edo govt denies plan to cause crisis if suspects are arrested

    Okpebholo: Edo govt denies plan to cause crisis if suspects are arrested

    Edo State government has denied any plan to cause mayhem should those responsible for the July 18 attack on Sen. Sunday Okpebholo and Philip Shaibu were arrested and prosecuted.

    Recall that Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of APC and Shaibu, the just reinstated deputy governor of the state, were attacked on their arrival in Benin from Abuja by gunmen.

    In the attack a police officer was killed and many others injured.

    The state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said on Monday  in Benin that the governor was only reacting to alleged plans by the opposition to rig the election come Sept. 21.

    Nehikhare said, in a statement, that the governor planned to seek redress in court should the election be rigged.

    The commissioner said the governor’s statement followed a call by the APC for the impeachment of Godwin Obaseki for allegedly calling for mayhem should the killers of a police officer in the Benin airport attack were arrested.

    Nehikhare noted that the threat was only in respect to the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

    He accused the APC of plotting to disrupt a peaceful election, citing the recent violence and mayhem caused by the party’s supporters.

    “The APC has clearly shown their plan for the Sept. 21 governorship election, which is to cause mayhem, make the state ungovernable, and take advantage of the chaos to manipulate the forthcoming governorship election,” he said.

    The commissioner advised the opposition to “read the mood of the nation” and stop what would lead to crisis in the country.

    NAN

  • Suspects in attack on Okpebholo, Shaibu gone into hiding – Police

    Suspects in attack on Okpebholo, Shaibu gone into hiding – Police

    The Police in Edo say gunmen  involved in the attack on Monday Okpebholo, APC Governorship Candidate for Edo and the state’s reinstated deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, have gone into hiding.

    The Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye said this on Monday while giving an update on the investigation into the July 18 attack on Airport Road in Benin.

    Recall that some suspected political thugs attacked Okpebholo and Shaibu, while exiting the Benin Airport, shortly after their arrival from Abuja.

    In the attack, the gunmen killed an Inspector of Police, Onu Akon, an orderly to Okpebholo and injured many others.

    Adegboye said those fingered in the bloody attack had fled the state.

    The commissioner of police, who failed to mention names of the suspects under investigation, assured the public that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

    “Investigations are ongoing to unravel the mystery surrounding the killing of the gallant officer and attempted murder of Okpebholo.

    He said the command would not leave any stone unturned to fish out the perpetrators.

    According to him, the police have dropped the invitation with their family members.

    “If they fail to honour the invitation, appropriate legal procedure will be followed and this may include declaring them wanted,” he said.

  • Edo govt petitions IGP, labels Shaibu, Kabaka over violence

    Edo govt petitions IGP, labels Shaibu, Kabaka over violence

    The Edo State Government has petitioned the Inspector General Police,(IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, over the Thursday, July 18, 2024 breakdown of law and order in the state.

    Earlier, the state government accused Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of the State, of orchestrating the violence under the pretext of executing a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja for which a stay of execution had been filed and an appeal entered.

    In a recent twist of event, the government accused Shaibu of hiring armed thugs to unleash mayhem that resulted in the death of a police inspector, Akor Onuh, in Benin City.

    According to a petition signed by the State Solicitor General, Prof. Faith Osadolor on behalf of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the government said Shaibu, contrary to the rule of law, recruited a throng of heavily armed thugs, including Tony Adun (Aka Tony Kabaka), Daniel Eromosele (Aka Pikolo), Efe Stewart, Joseph Okonigene, Noah Amiolemen Idemudia, among others, resorting to self-help, leading to the wanton destruction within the Benin metropolis and death of a Police officer.

    The Godwin Obaseki-led state government, therefore, urged the Police to thoroughly investigate the matter by inviting Shaibu and other members of his gang, and if found culpable, be brought to book.

    The document is titled, “Request to Investigate a Case of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Murder, Malicious Damage to Property, Breach of Public Peace and Assault Occasioning Harm by Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu and his Cohorts,” and was addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 5.

    The petition reads: “Firstly, write to formally express our heartfelt condolences to the Nigeria Police Force on the passing of one of your gallant officers, Inspector Akor Onuh attached to MOPOL 45 Abuja, who was a victim of the attack of 18 July, 2024, instigated by a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu.

    “Inspector Onuh was a true hero and dedicated public servant who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. His bravery and commitment to protecting others will never be forgotten by the government and people of Edo State. We beseech God Almighty to comfort the Inspector General and other officers of the Nigeria Police, including the family of the departed officer.

    In addition to the above, I wish to restate, on behalf of the Edo State Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, that on the 18th day of July, 2024, there was a breakdown of law and order which was orchestrated by former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu, under the guise of enforcing a court judgment which is a subject matter of a pending appeal, and to which a motion for stay of execution had been filed and served on him.”

    According to the Attorney General, “The facts leading to this petition are presented in the manner below:

    On Wednesday, 17th day of July 2024, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja delivered a judgment nullifying the removal of Hon. Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

    “The Edo State Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who was sued as the 3rd Defendant in the said suit, immediately lodged an appeal against the said judgment alongside a motion praying the court to stay the execution of the said judgment. Copies of the Notice of Appeal and Motion for Stay of Execution were served on all parties to the Appeal, including Hon. Philip Shaibu.

    On the 18th day of July 2024, Hon. Philip Shaibu, purportedly in an attempt to interpret and enforce the judgment without awaiting the final outcome of the judicial process and contrary to the rule of law recruited a throng of heavily armed thugs which included one Tony Adun (Aka Tony Kabaka), Daniel Eromosele (Aka Pikolo), Efe Stewart, Joseph Okonigene, Noah Amiolemen Idemudia, Chief Osahon Airhunmwnde (MD/CEO Play House Hotel Ltd), Eric Imariagbe (Aka Baroko), Kelly Okungbowa (Aka Ebo Stone), Lucky Igiebor, Kassy Chukwu, Osarumwense Marvis (Aka Eweanwan), Osasenaga (Aka Osasenaga Ogbe) and others, resorting to self-help with the aid of the aforementioned armed thugs and non-state actors and in an attempt to overreach the final outcome of the Motion for Stay and Interlocutory Injunction as well as the substantive suit.

    He further noted, “In line with their common intention, Hon. Philip Shaibu and his armed thugs invaded the Benin Airport shooting sporadically and thereafter moved into town, attacking road users, destroying vehicles, and other private and public properties.

    “In the wake of their attack on harmless citizens, a police officer was shot dead by the fierce thugs while several other citizens were assaulted and sustained varying degrees of injuries, and even lawyers were attacked at the Secretariat of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Benin Branch.”

    ”The government said it was reliably informed and believes that Hon. Philip Shaibu, the above-named persons, and others conspired with mathematical accuracy to execute with brutal efficiency such that Edo State will become ungovernable by taking over Edo State government house, increasing the level of destruction of the legitimate properties of innocent Edo citizens and continuing their sporadic and intermittent shootings at targeted areas, amongst others.”

  • Reinstated Edo deputy gov, Shaibu makes fresh appointments after escaping assassin’s bullets

    Reinstated Edo deputy gov, Shaibu makes fresh appointments after escaping assassin’s bullets

    Reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Hon Phillip Shaibu has made fresh appointments barely 24hours after he reportedly escaped assasins bullets..

    This was contained in a statement issued and signed by one of his longest serving aide, Musa Ebomhiana

    Shaibu approved the reappointment of the following officials:

    – Hon. Kingsley Ehigiamusor as Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Edo State
    – Comrade Musa Ebomhiana as Chief Press Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor
    – Hon. Emmanuel Akhaba as Senior Special Assistant
    – Mustapha Lawal as Senior Special Assistant (Omokpo)
    – Charles Olubayo as Senior Special Assistant
    – Mathias Akhanemhe as Special Assistant
    – Comrade Robinson Akhenoba as Special Assistant
    – Robert Ojele as Special Assistant

    The appointment takes immediate effect.

  • Edo 2024: PDP parading an outsider as gov candidate – Shaibu

    Edo 2024: PDP parading an outsider as gov candidate – Shaibu

    Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has described the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the state, Asue Ighodalo as an outsider who can’t become governor.

    Shaibu said Ighodalo is an encouragement of godfatherism because he’s the godson to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    He, however, vowed to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the state, Monday Okpebholo because a godson can never win the governorship election.

    Addressing journalists at St. Paul Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin, yesterday, Shaibu said the reign of godfatherism in Edo State must be brought to an end.

    He also noted that the APC governorship candidate and his Labour Party counterpart are ‘homeboys.’

    According to Shaibu: “I will support a ‘homeboy.’ I came in to contest to be the governor of Edo State, because I needed governance to return to a ‘homeboy,’ somebody who understands our plight, somebody who understands what the people are feeling.

    “We have only two ‘homeboys’ in the major political parties: one is in LP and the other is in APC. I decided to follow the ‘homeboy’ in APC.

    “Asue Ighodalo, who they are parading in the PDP is an outsider, and we have also agreed that no more ‘godfatherism’ in Edo.

    “The man PDP is parading is the godson of Governor Godwin Obaseki. There is no way a godson can be governor of Edo State.”

    Residents of Edo State will decide their next governor on September 21.