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The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, on Tuesday berate the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki for accusing him of impersonation and forgery.
Few days after Shaibu's resumption in office as the deputy governor, the Edo State government had accused him of impersonation, arguing that the court judgment, which reinstated him had been appealed and a stay of execution obtained.
The state government accused Shaibu of trying to destabilise the government and cause chaos.
Reacting, Shaibu’s Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, kicked against the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare's claim of impersonation.
Ebomhiana said, “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, describing the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, as ‘an impostor.’
“The statement, in its entirety, is an affront to the judiciary, and a clear violation of a valid court order of July 17, 2024, as delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the FCT Federal High Court.
“We also view it as an insult to the people of Edo State who overwhelmingly voted for the Godwin Obaseki/Philip Shaibu joint ticket in the governorship election of September 2020. It’s a known fact that the Edo people never voted for Marvellous Omobayo as their deputy governor.
“It is also a known fact that in the eyes of the law, Omobayo is only a political appointee of Governor Godwin Obaseki who imposed him on the people of Edo State.
“Both parties must obey the judgment, pending the determination of the stay of execution by the same court.
“However, we are not surprised by this brazen display of executive lawlessness and rascality by the Edo State government. Obaseki is one governor who is well known for his disdain for the judiciary and flagrant disrespect for judicial pronouncements."
