By Kolawole Ojebisi
Governor Godwin Obaseki has insisted that Phillip Shaibu is not his legitimate second-in-command and should be treated like an imposter in his administration
Obaseki said Shaibu remains “impeached” from office and has been stripped of power to act in the capacity demands of his office.
The governor made this statement on Friday in a statement issued by Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Communications to the Edo State Governor.
Reacting to earlier comments credited to Sahibu while inspecting projects, Obaseki warned Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to guard against attempts by political appointees to loot government properties.
Obaseki told Edo workers to disregard what he described as “infantile ramblings,” asserting that Shaibu remains impeached until the court’s determination and therefore lacks the power and authority to issue directives or warnings to any staff employed by the Edo State Government.
“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.” the statement reads
The feud between Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Phillip Shaibu, worsened after he was impeached on April 8 following allegations that he was leaking Edo State government secrets. To the panel, this was considered as a sharp contrast to the oath of office he swore to as deputy governor of Edo State.
Shaibu’s impeachment resulted in another round of legal battle which went in favour of Shaibu, who got a declarative judgment reinstating him as the deputy governor. The Edo State government then proceeded to the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgement and seek a stay of execution. Till date , the Presiding judge is yet to rule on the pending case.
But prior to Shaibu’s declarative judgment, the state government had already appointed Godwins Omobayo as the new deputy governor and did not deem it fit to bring back Shaibu, who noted that the judgment he got meant that he should be reinstated before the government could take further legal action.
