The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, who has been reinstated, criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration for accusing him of impersonation and forgery.
Upon Shaibu’s return to office, the Edo State government alleged that he was impersonating as the deputy governor, claiming that the court judgment reinstating him had been appealed and a stay of execution had been obtained.
The state government accused Shaibu of attempting to disrupt the government and incite chaos.
In response, Shaibu’s Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, rebuked Edo State’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, for the impersonation accusation.
Ebomhiana stated, “The statement attributed to Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, labeling the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, as an ‘impostor,’ is disrespectful to the judiciary and a direct violation of a valid court order issued on July 17, 2024, by Justice James Omotosho of the FCT Federal High Court.
“Furthermore, it is an insult to the people of Edo State who decisively voted for the Godwin Obaseki/Philip Shaibu joint ticket in the September 2020 gubernatorial election. It is a fact that the people of Edo did not elect Marvellous Omobayo as their deputy governor.
“Legally, Omobayo is only a political appointee of Governor Godwin Obaseki, who imposed him on the people of Edo State.
“Therefore, Nehikhare must understand that Omobayo is the imposter who should cease presenting himself as the Edo State deputy governor because he was not elected.”
The statement clarified that filing a stay of execution against a declarative judgment from a competent court does not nullify the judgment’s execution.
“Both parties are bound to comply with the judgment until the court rules on the stay of execution.
“Nevertheless, the audacious disregard for the law and unruly behavior exhibited by the Edo State government does not come as a surprise.
“If the leadership is corrupt, what else can be expected from its followers?
“Obaseki has a well-known history of disrespect towards the judiciary and its decisions.
“He also arrogantly believes that everyone has a price, boasting on numerous occasions that Omobayo will remain his deputy governor until he completes his term as Edo State governor.
“Unfortunately, Governor Godwin Obaseki has shown a complete disregard for the law, particularly following the July 17 court ruling that reinstated Comrade Philip Shaibu as Edo State’s deputy governor after his questionable impeachment by the state House of Assembly in April 2024,” the statement concluded.