Former Edo State commissioner for information, Barrister Andrew Emwanta, has said that the illegal impeachment of Deputy governor Philip Shaibu was as a retaliation for his indication of interest in Edo’s governorship position.
Emwanta said this while speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday night about the reinstatement of Philip Shaibu as deputy governor of Edo state by the federal high court Judge Omotosho who declared the impeachment as illegal and unconstitutional.
The lawyer said, “ Nigerians know that because Shaibu indicated his interest to run for governor was why he was impeached. It was a wild goose chase, a witch hunt and waste of time.”
Expressing his joy on the outcome of the legal struggle, he shared, “I have to smile because I was one of the lawyers who toiled through the night. What you saw today came out of perseverance on the part of the deputy governor, who said he was unlawfully removed from government. This started in July last year, making it one year.”
Emwanta also recounted how they initially filed a pre-impeachment action when Shaibu was denied a fair hearing and how the court’s orders were disobeyed.
He did not hold back in his criticism of Governor Obaseki’s administration. “None of the dictatorship we’ve had in Africa is worse than the one we currently experience in Edo state government under Obaseki,” he said.
Highlighting the authoritarian practices within the state government under Obaseki, Emwanta said, “You threw your deputy governor out of the government house, gave him a quit notice, and started the process of removing him from office illegally. You stopped his allowances, took away all his media people, and even violated his right to freedom of worship by closing the chapel of the church he attends as a Christian.”
Regarding the ongoing appeal against Shuaibu’s reinstatement, he accused the government of wasting taxpayers’ money on fruitless litigation and suggested that some of these actions were avenues for money laundering.
He said, “The truth is when justice is given, it gives happiness. We choose to celebrate and savor this victory because, at the end of the day, it is an appeal that will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions. They are wasting tax payers money and some of these things are avenues for money laundering.”
Emwanta emphasised the need for constitutional amendments to protect the office of the deputy governor. “There is a need for the constitution to be amended the office of deputy governor must be protected. It is an endangered office,” he said, warning that governors might treat deputy governors like slaves if protections are not put in place.
Criticising Obaseki once more for his actions and betrayal of supporters, he said, “It is about ingratitude. Oshiomole brought Obaseki and made him governor, and the next thing, he kicked Oshiomole out as National Chairman. He betrayed all his supporters.”
Speaking on the upcoming elections, Emwanta expressed optimism for the future of Edo State. He stated, “Edo people will want to vote for a governor who will develop the state.”
Nancy Mbamalu
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