Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has declared that the embattled Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, remains impeached.
Obaseki made this assertion on Friday in response to comments attributed to Shaibu, in which he warned Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to be vigilant against potential attempts by political appointees to misappropriate government assets.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki advised Edo workers to dismiss what he termed “infantile ramblings,” emphasizing that Shaibu is still impeached pending the court’s final decision and thus lacks the authority to issue directives or warnings to any state government staff.
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It is worth noting that in July, the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the impeachment of Philip Shaibu, with Justice James Omotosho ruling that the Edo State House of Assembly did not adhere to due process during the impeachment proceedings, ordering Shaibu’s reinstatement.
On September 24, Justice Omotosho dismissed two motions filed by the Edo State Government and the State House of Assembly challenging Shaibu’s reinstatement, also imposing a total cost of ₦400,000 against both entities.
In response to Shaibu’s status as deputy governor, Obaseki insisted in the statement on Friday that, “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.”
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