Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has vowed to protect the integrity of the deputy governor’s office amidst his fight against impeachment. Addressing journalists after a thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City, Shaibu attributed his recent court-ordered reinstatement to divine intervention.
Shaibu emphasized that his struggle is not for personal gain but to restore respect and sanity to the deputy governor’s office, a position he believes has been undermined by various governors since 1999. “The governor (of Edo State) said he will destroy me and that is why I decided that the office of the deputy governor of Edo State, I will fight to make sure that sanity and respect is brought back to that office,” Shaibu stated. He added that his efforts are aimed at ensuring the office is respected according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Highlighting the broader implications of his victory, Shaibu remarked, “What other deputies cannot fight, I will fight on their behalf, so that governors will start respecting that office.” He expressed gratitude for the court’s expedited judgment, which he viewed as a sign of divine support against anti-democratic forces.
In addition to his legal battle, Shaibu called for an investigation into the recent killing of a policeman. The slain officer was an orderly to All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate Sen. Monday Okpebholo. Shaibu accused Edo State vigilantes of orchestrating the attack and urged the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate the incident and consider proscribing the vigilante groups.
“They know what they have done and they are trying to cover up, but this one, they cannot cover it up, not when a police officer was a victim,” Shaibu declared. He stressed the need for accountability and urged the youth to reject violence and instead use their votes to oust anti-democratic elements in the upcoming state election. “This election is the time to change anti-democratic forces and you must do it through the ballot, don’t engage in violence,” he advised.
