Obaseki Stands Firm on Shaibu’s Impeachment

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has reaffirmed that his deputy, Philip Shaibu, remains impeached despite ongoing legal proceedings.

Obaseki made this statement on Friday, responding to a warning reportedly issued by Shaibu to Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), advising them to prevent political appointees from looting government property.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki dismissed Shaibu’s comments as “infantile ramblings,” emphasizing that Shaibu lacks the authority to issue directives.

Obaseki clarified that Shaibu will remain impeached until the court reaches a final decision and urged Edo State workers to disregard any instructions from the former deputy governor.

This controversy follows a ruling in July by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified Shaibu’s impeachment due to procedural lapses by the Edo State House of Assembly and ordered his reinstatement.

Despite this, on September 24, Justice Omotosho dismissed two motions from the Edo State Government and the House of Assembly opposing Shaibu’s reinstatement, also imposing ₦400,000 in costs against them.

Obaseki’s statement firmly reiterated that Shaibu is still impeached and lacks any official power until the court’s final determination. The governor urged state workers to continue their duties without fear of interference or intimidation.