- Oshiomhole kicks
- Two panel members reject nominations to impeach Shaibu
The embattled deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, might lead other aggrieved governorship aspirants in the People’s Democratic Party to the opposition All Progressives Congress, The Point has gathered.
The aggrieved aspirants were said to be hell bent at demolishing the support for Governor Godwin Obaseki’s candidate, Asuen Ighodalo, in the September 2024 election in Edo State.
According to sources, those expected to join the APC alongside Shaibu in the coming days are two former governorship aspirants, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Omosede Igbinedion, both from Edo South Senatorial District.
The Point also gathered that the majority of PDP members across the three senatorial districts and 18 local governments could dump the PDP in Edo State for the APC.
The governorship candidate of the APC in the September 2024 election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is scheduled to receive them into the APC, according to reliable sources.
Also, the National Vice Chairman of the PDP, South-South, Dan Orbih, was said to have vowed to deliver the whole of Edo North for Okpebholo (Akpakomiza) on Election Day.
Orbih had protested the conduct of the PDP delegate election, vowing that a stranger will not fly the ticket of the party.
It was reliably gathered that members of the APC at the national level are already talking to Shaibu to return to the APC.
Sources said that with the possible entrance of Igbinedion, Ovia North East and South West Senatorial Districts are settled for the APC since the running mate to the APC candidate and member representing the federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Dennis Idahosa, hails from the area.
“The forces at play against the governor (Obaseki) are numerous especially his poor performance in office as the major albatross that would finally undo the governor and his anointed candidate at the polls,” an aggrieved PDP member noted.
It was learnt that the APC in Edo State has resolved its post-primary elections tussle and is ready to launch its campaign soon.
The National Working Committee of the APC is expected to announce the campaign structure for the Edo elections soon, as parties await the lifting of a ban on electioneering campaigns in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Likewise, the Diaspora Chairman of the APC, Italy, Pastor Mike Oputteh, has expressed confidence that the candidacy of Okpebholo and his running mate, Idahosa, is a path to victory in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.
In a statement he issued after the APC faithful hosted the Edo State acting Chairman of the party, Jarret Tenebe, who was in Rome, Italy, on a spiritual visit, Oputteh announced that Edo indigenes in Europe have been mobilized to support the enthronement of the APC government in Edo State to change the negative narratives and lackluster government of Obaseki.
Oputteh, who is also the welfare officer, National Union of Nigerians Association in Italy, commended President Bola Tinubu over his fatherly intervention that had trailed the APC governorship primary, noting that the interest of the party was sacrosanct in ensuring a formidable and united APC into the governorship election.
He said Edo State cannot afford to have another stranger at the helm of affairs; a situation he pointed out has set the state in auto-reverse.
He, therefore, assured that the APC government would correct the maladministration of the PDP.
Oshiomhole kicks against Shaibu’s defection to APC
However, The Point also gathered that a former governor of Edo State and the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, is yet to give his blessing to the defection of Shaibu from the PDP to the APC.
An impeccable source told The Point on Monday that Oshiomhole is not pleased with the move because himself and Shaibu are from the same Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo North Senatorial District.
“You know that politicians like power. There is a likely change of leadership if Shaibu joins the APC. He is younger, he has better reach, and he is more approachable than Oshiomhole. He is a grassroots mobilizer and a rugged street man. Oshiomhole might not be comfortable with this,” an APC chieftain told The Point on Monday.
Oshiomhole had said in August last year that the APC is not a rehabilitating centre for distressed politicians.
Oshiomhole stated this in Benin while commenting on the allegation made by the state governor, Godwin Obaseki that his deputy, Philip Shaibu’s court case against him was a prelude to his defection to the APC.
He however advised the embattled deputy governor to respect and be loyal to his boss, adding that his wish is for Edo to be governed in peace and harmony.
He said, “What I read about somebody going to court to complain about being suspected of being impeached, I don’t know how courts adjudicate over suspicion.
“But let me say this, to say that somebody wants to run to the APC, I want to say APC is not a rehabilitation centre. I can tell you that for free.
“We in APC are satisfied the way we are; we are happy in opposition and we are not about to receive people who are coming because they have lost out. I want to say that there is no IDP camp in APC.
“So my advice is that those who are having challenges should learn how to respect their bosses. I have always advised people that whoever you work with you should be loyal.”
In January 2024, Shaibu apologized over his utterances against Oshiomhole during the former governor’s face-off with Governor Obaseki.
Shaibu who stated this while featuring on a live television programme, also insisted that Oshiomhole is still his father despite their political differences.
During the rift between Obaseki and Oshiomhole, Shaibu stood behind Obaseki against Oshiomhole, noting that the former governor was playing godfather when they both never allowed such to happen in Edo State.
He said, “I express remorse over my choice of words against Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in times past and I insist that the former governor, now a Senator at the National Assembly, remains my father despite our political differences.”
Two panel members reject nominations to impeach Shaibu
In the same vein, the drama following the impeachment of Shaibu has continued to unfold.
In the latest development, two members of the ‘Investigation Panel’ that was raised by the State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, have declined their appointments.
Those that refused to serve in the assignment are Professor Violet Aigbokhaevbo and Prof Boniface Onomion Edegbai.
Both professors have been replaced by President Aigbokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilevbare.
The latest development was contained in a release dated March 25, 2024 and signed by the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Justice, Benin City, B.O Osawaru.
The list was earlier released on Friday, and with the development, the panel is expected to begin sitting in the coming days.
The panel will still be chaired by Hon. Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.).
Other members are Prof Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Oviasu, Dr. Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aigbokhian, and Mariam Ilavbare.
The letter reads, “This is to bring to the notice of the general public that in line with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Honourable the Chief Judge of Edo State, Honourable Justice D.I. Okungbowa has constituted the panel of seven persons to investigate the allegations contained in the impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu.
“This is sequel to the resolution of the Edo State House of Assembly on the 19th March 2024, which was sent to the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State.
“The said panel of seven persons is composed of the following persons: Hon. Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.) – Chairman, Professor Theresa Akpoghome (member), Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu (member), Dr. Andrew Oliha Member, Idris Abdulkareen (member), President Aigbokhian (member), and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare (member).”
However, the Edo State chapter of the Conference of Registered Political Party has urged members of the impeachment panel set up by Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate the allegations leveled against Shaibu, to decline the offer.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Samson Isibor and secretary, John Isidhaome, CRPP said it was obvious that the CJ was engineered to set up the panel.
The stressed that, “The announcement by the chief judge of Edo State setting up the so called impeachment panel to probe Hon. Phillip Shuaibu, did not come to us as a surprise based on the fact that he who pays or appoints the piper dictates the tune. It is clear the CJ is being engineered.
“But our arguments are very fundamental to the nascent democracy we are operating with the three arms of government, the executive, the legislative and the judiciary. Each arm is independent of the other, Edo State House of Assembly led by Blessing Agbebaku, rebuffed the judiciary by turning down court summons sent by a Federal High Court delivered by a High Court bailiff.
“In fact, the court bailiff was harassed and chased away by the House of Assembly security men on the order of the House of Assembly leadership, these actions of the Assembly lawmakers, now law breakers, are supposed to be viewed seriously as a slight on the Judiciary. It took the intervention of the judiciary for the court bailiff to paste the summons at the entrance of the Assembly,” CRPP said.
It lamented that the same judiciary quickly assented to the request of the state assembly that the Chief Judge should constitute a panel to probe Phillip Shaibu.
