From From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Reactions, yesterday in Benin, trailed Abuja Federal judgment which reinstated Comrade Philip Shaibu to his position as the Deputy Governor of Edo after he was impeached by members of the state House of Assembly.
In his reaction, South South VIce Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, congratulated Shaibu on the judgement and urged him to use the remaining days as deputy governor to remove shame from Edo PDP.
“I want to sincerely congratulate the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shaibu over his landmark victory in the legal battle against his unlawful impeachment by some members of the Edo State House of Assembly.
“I am particularly delighted by this judgment being the one who led the campaign that brought you and Governor Godwin Obaseki to serve a second term as governor and deputy-Governor of the state in 2020.
“I was greatly pained to watch the unfortunate drama of your impeachment which was generally reported to have been stoked by some elements in the government of the state.
“It is an irony that the passion and priority that was given to the impeachment is especially lacking in the execution of the government policies and programmes for which I mounted the rostrum to promise the good people of Edo State that you and your principal will accomplish.
“As you return as governor of Edo State, I implore you to use your office to bring zeal to governance programmes and policies, to wit, so that we would not be totally left in shame as a party that failed in our promises to the good people of Edo State.
“You should please do this within the ambit of the constitution as the elected and judicially reaffirmed deputy governor of Edo State.
“In that wise, I appeal to all political actors in Edo State to let this judgment be the basis for a new and more fruitful relationship especially within our Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and all citizens of the state.
Justice like you know, is the cornerstone of the social system. Plato described Justice as “giving each Man his due”. I am glad you have been duly restated. Lessons learnt in this unfortunate drama will certainly deepen our democracy and enhance the observance of the rule of law. I pray you see out the remaining months of your tenure with a forgiving spirit and fear of God in all you do. Be tolerant but firm.
“Once again I congratulate you and I wish you well”, Orbih said in a statement.
Similarly, a former state Chairman of the APC Anselm Ojezua, who crossed to the PDP with the governor Godwin Obaseki, hailed the judgment, saying that the rule of law has prevailed.
Ojezua, who contested the PDP primary election, said, “I know this is how it would end and I am very happy about the fact that common sense and the rule of law has prevail in Edo State.
“I was surprised about the trump up charges against Shaibu, I condemned it and said it was a shame that this could happen in Edo. Today, the rule of law has prevailed.
“We can’t rule Edo State like a banana republic or as if we are being teleguided by uncivilized people.
“There are rules that are meant to be obeyed but these people violate all the rules and Shaibu’s impeachment was the height of irresponsibility and I hope that they accept this judgement in good fate.
“I will advise Mr. Governor to be mindful of the fact that he only has few days to go and should begin to reconcile with people.
“Shaibu is one of the people who worked with the governor but because he was insisting on his constitutional right, the governor said no, he would deny him the right.
“The governor who used to be a victim has now become the villain and I have never seen a governor in an election period, chasing people away instead of bringing in people to his fold”, Ojezua said.
On its part, Edo State Government has insisted that Marvellous Omobayo remains the deputy governor.
The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in a statement, said the state government has launched an appeal and also filed a stay of execution of the judgement.
“Following the Federal High Court, Abuja judgement that faulted the impeachment of the erstwhile deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, the Edo State Government has filed a stay of execution of the judgement.
“Pending the hearing of the appeal of the judgement, the incumbent Deputy Governor, Marvellous Omotayo, remains and continues to serve as the valid deputy Governor of Edo State.
“He will continue to serve in this capacity and would be recognized as such.
“The government hereby calls on the people of Edo State to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses”.
Meanwhile, Press Secretary to Shaibu, Musa Ebomhiena, has described the judgement as victory for democracy and rule of law
“For us, it’s a victory for democracy and the rule of law. The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. For mere mortals who think they can play God in the lives of others, this judgement serves as a lesson. He appoints kings and kings as it pleases Him. Those who have ears, let them hear.
“For the statement hurriedly issued by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, we see it as an affront on the judiciary, a blatant attempt to ridicule the sound judgement delivered by the Honourable Justice Omotosho of the FCT Federal High Court.
“The statement smacks of arrogance of power on the part of the Edo State Government, by insisting that nothing has changed, Omobayo remains the Deputy Governor”.
“Nehikhare and his co-travellers should be reminded that power is transient, especially for them with less than four months to vacate office”, he admonished.