The Edo State Government has issued a warning against what it calls “impersonation” by Philip Shaibu, the recently reinstated Deputy Governor of the state.
This development comes in the wake of Shaibu’s announcement of his resumption of duty and his directive to staff to follow suit.
In a statement released by Osa Nehikhare, the State’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, the government declared Shaibu’s actions as “a clear case of impersonation.”
“It has come to the attention of the Edo State Government that the former Deputy Governor, Comr. Philip Shaibu has been carrying out correspondence with different institutions and organisations both within and outside the State in a clear case of impersonation,” Nehikhare stated.
The commissioner emphasized the government’s stance, urging the public and organizations to disregard any correspondence from Shaibu in the capacity of deputy governor.
“In the interest of the safety of these organizations, we want to restate that Shaibu is not the Deputy Governor of Edo State, and every correspondence from him in that regard should be disregarded and considered a forgery,” he added.
The statement highlighted that the issue of Shaibu’s purported reinstatement remains active in court. The next hearing for two separate motions filed by the State Government and the Edo House of Assembly, challenging the reinstatement ordered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, is scheduled for September 24, 2024.
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Nehikhare further explained, “The State through the Attorney General of Edo State and the Edo House of Assembly by their lawyers, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, and Ken Mozia, SAN, respectively, had in the motions sought an order for a stay of the execution of the purported reinstatement and an order suspending the judgment and restraining Shaibu from parading himself or attending any official function as deputy governor pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.”
The government maintains that Omobayo Marvelous Godwins remains the legitimate deputy governor of Edo State. It warned that any correspondence carried out by any other person, including Philip Shaibu, constitutes an act of impersonation.
The statement called on security agencies to be alert to potential breaches of peace, urging them to hold Philip Shaibu responsible for any security issues arising from his actions.
“Security agencies are, by this notice, alerted to the potential breach of peace and are urged to hold Philip Shaibu responsible for any security breach in the State arising from his ignoble actions,” it said.
