Politics
The Edo State Government has accused Comrade Philip Shaibu of impersonating the office of the Deputy Governor of the State, describing Shaibu’s alleged correspondence to institutions and organisations as deputy governor as forgery.
Hon. Chris Osa Nehikhare, the state commissioner for communication and orientation, stated this in a press statement issued on behalf of the state government on Monday and made available to journalists in Benin.
Recall that the Edo State House of Assembly impeached Comrade Philip Shaibuz on Monday, April 8th, 2024, following the adoption of the report of a seven-man panel of investigation set up by the Chief Judge of Edo State to probe allegations of misconduct against Shaibu
The investigative panel, headed by Justice S. A. Omonuwa (rtd), probed Shaibu on allegations of perjury and leakage of government secrets and ended its session with Shaibu refusing to appear before it.
Shaibu was impeached by the vote of eighteen out of 19 members of the Assembly present at plenary, while one abstained from the headcount and voting process.
The State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, had, upon the impeachment of Shaibu, picked Omobayo Marvellous Godwins as his deputy to complete his second tenure in office, which elapsed on November 11, 2024.
Dissatisfied with the impeachment processes and others, the former deputy governor, Shaibu, dragged the Edo State House of Assembly and others before Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja division, challenging his impeachment from office.
In delivering his judgement in the suit, Justice Omotoso held that the removal of the plaintiff, Shaibu, from office as Deputy Governor of Edo State and the subsequent appointment of Omobayo Godwins as his replacement by the Governor of Edo State was illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void.
The Court held that there was a breach of the provisions of the procedure laid out in Section 188(1) to (9) in the way and manner the impeachment process was conducted, noting that the ouster clause in Section 188(10) limiting the jurisdiction is not a stand-alone provision.
The Court referred to the decision of the Nigerian Supreme Court in Inakoju v. Adeleke (2007). therefore ordered the 1st Defendant, the Inspector General of Police, to immediately restore the security of the plaintiff as Deputy Governor of Edo State.
However, the state government claimed that Shaibu remains impeached; hence, every correspondence from him as deputy governor should be disregarded and considered forgery.
The statement maintained that the judgement of the Federal High Court, which reinstated Shaibu as Deputy Governor of Edo State, has been appealed against by the state government.
“It has come to the attention of the Edo State Government that the former Deputy Governor, Comrade. 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 organisations, 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.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TRIBUTE TO CENTENARIAN ALHAJI TANKO YAKASAI
I’m still in PDP – Wike replies Turaki, dismisses expulsion
Boris Johnson Says He Feels “Perfectly Safe” in Nigeria, Praises Imo State’s Progress
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI