The Governor Godwin Obaseki government in Edo State has disowned Comrade Philip Shaibu as the deputy governor of the state, accusing him of impersonation, saying that anyone who transacts with him in that office does so at his or her own risk.
While accusing Shaibu of impersonation, the state commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr Chris Nehikhare affirmed that the deputy governor of the state is Marvelous Ombayo who was sworn in following the impeachment of Shaibu by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Newsmen report that the impeachment of Shaibu on April 8, 2024 was overturned by the Court of Appeal on July 18.
The Edo Government and the House of Assembly have both appealed the judgment and have cited the appeal as the reason for the decision not to welcome Shaibu back to office.
However, Shaibu has continued to project himself as deputy governor of the state in his own right.
Reacting to the development, Nehikhare said:
“It has come to the attention of the Edo State Government that the former Deputy Governor, Comr. Philip Shaibu, has been carrying out correspondence with different institutions and organisations both within and outside the State in a clear case of impersonation.
“In the interest of the safety of these organizations, we want to restate that Shaibu is not the Deputy Governor of Edo State and every correspondence from him in that regard should be disregarded and considered a forgery.
“The issue of his purported reinstatement is still active in court and the next hearing for the two separate motions filed by the State Government and the Edo House of Assembly challenging the purported reinstatement by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court is fixed for 24 September, 2024.
“The State through the Attorney General of Edo State and the Edo House of Assembly by their lawyers, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, and Ken Mozia, SAN, respectively, had in the motions sought an order for a stay of the execution of the purported reinstatement and an order suspending the judgment and restraining Shaibu from parading himself or attending any official function as deputy governor pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
“Therefore, the status quo is that His Excellency, Omobayo Marvelous Godwins, remains the deputy governor of Edo State and any correspondence carried out by any other person, including Philip Shaibu is an act of impersonation, and anyone who deals with him does so at his or her own risk.
“Security agencies are, by this notice, alerted to the potential breach of peace and are urged to hold Philip Shaibu responsible for any security breach in the State arising from his ignoble actions.”
Newsmen report that the allegation of impersonation of the office of deputy governor is another dimension to the conflict between Shaibu and Governor Obaseki.
