———— Impeachment Uncalled For, Says CRPP
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Dr. Udoh Oberaifo, the gubernatorial candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) on Monday condemned in strong terms the impeachment of the former deputy governor, comrade Philip Shaibu by the Edo House of Assembly.
In a statement in Benin, Oberaifo said, regardless of the charges levelled against Shaibu, due process was not followed.
Oberaifo who noted that Shaibu was not given fair hearing, described the impeachment as blatant disregard for the principles of justice.
“Of particular concern is the fact that the impeachment proceeded despite a pending case filed by the deputy governor at the Federal High court.
“This legal action should have warranted a status quo, yet the impeachment was carried out regardless, casting doubts on the motives behind the hurried proceedings,” he said .
The AAC candidate in the statement, raised the alarm over the connection between the Labour Party (LP) and the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state .
He alleged the new deputy governor was a card-carrying member of LP adding that, he who was yet to resign membership as at the time he was sworn in.
“This action, is in clear violation of the Electoral Act 2022 and it underscores the connivance between the LP and PDP to consolidate power,” he added.
He condemned the display of political maneuvering and warned against the entrenched godfatherism that has permeated Edo politics.
He urges the people of Edo state tate to reject the PDP and LP, at the polls in September 2024, and embrace the AAC as a viable alternative.
Oberaifo called on all Edolites to rally behind the AAC, embrace its programs, visions, and manifestos, and cast their votes for him as the next governor of the state in September
Meanwhile, Edo State Chapter of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties(CRPP) has condemned in strong term what it tagged the “purported impeachment of the Deputy Governor, Comrade Phillip Shaibu,” adding “it’s uncalled for.”
According to a statement by Dr. Samson Isibor, its Chairman, the CRPP averred that the impeachment “was a predetermined game from Governor Obaseki, to see that Shaibu was removed at all cost and by all means.
He said, Shaibu have not committed any impeachable offence. We blame the Chief Judge of Edo State for allowing himself to be used by Obaseki to disobey a high court summon, including the outgoing Governor Obaseki, and the Edo State House of Assembly who harassed and chased away a court baliff. What a rascality displayed by the lawbreakers.
“Our consolation is that the Edo governorship election is coming up in few months time, at which Edo people will laugh last to say it is good riddance to bad government. We commend Comrade Shaibu for not appearing at the Kangaroo panel.
“If he had appeared at the panel, Shaibu would have given credence to the illegally constituted panel against the court order. We are advising Comrade Shaibu to forge ahead with the court process.
“He will definitely reclaim is mandate given to him by Edo people which was illegally truncated by Obaseki. The CRPP is strongly behind him. We assure him of our unchangeable support all the way.”