The impeached deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has denounced his removal.
The lawmakers removed Shaibu on Monday after the conclusion of the impeachment hearing.
Shaibu, who was probed on allegations of perjury and leaking of government secrets, was replaced by Omobayo Marvellous Godwins.
In his reaction to the decision of the state lawmakers, Shaibu described his impeachment as an attack on him and the democratic principles in the state.
In a press statement signed by him, Shaibu lamented that he is being victimised because he insisted on contesting for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
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“I denounce in the strongest terms the illegal impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly over trumped-up charges. This is not just an attack on me as an individual, but on the very democratic principles that we hold dear. It is a dangerous descent into dictatorship and a threat to the foundation of our democracy.
“Let me be clear – I believe that this impeachment was hatched because of my ambition to contest the Edo 2024 governorship elections under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It is a sad reality that in our political landscape, ambition is met with resistance, and those in power seek to silence opposition through illegitimate means,” Shaibu said.
The former deputy governor, who is at loggerheads with Governor Godwin Obaseki noted that his dedication to the state and the people of Edo was being repaid with baseless accusations.
He said, “The allegations brought against me are nothing more than a smokescreen to conceal the true motive behind this impeachment. It is a flagrant abuse of power and a betrayal of the trust that the people of Edo State have placed in their elected officials.
“We refuse to stand idly by while our democratic institutions are manipulated and exploited for personal gain. We will fight this injustice with every ounce of strength in my being, for the sake of the people of Edo State anr the future of our democracy.”
Shaibu called on all well-meaning citizens of Edo State, and all Nigerians who “believe in the principles of democracy and justice, to stand with me in this moment of crisis. We cannot allow tyranny and oppression to take root in our society. We must resist the forces that seek to undermine our freedoms and trample upon our rights.”
He maintained that history will judge members of the Edo State House of Assembly for betraying those who elected them into office.
