Edo State Government has described the appointment of eight personal aides by the embattled deputy governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu, as “provocative”, adding that it was an “attempt crisis in the state.”
Shaibu, who was impeached on April 8, 2024, by the Edo state House of Assembly, but was reinstated on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, by an Abuja federal high Court, had on Friday announced the appointment of eight persons as personal aides in a statement endorsed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS|), Musa Ebomhian.
Reacting to the development, the state government, vide a press statement endorsed by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, asked the people of the state to disregard the appointment.
The statement reiterated the earlier position of the state government that having filed a notice of appeal and stay of execution on the Abuja Federal High Court judgment, Shaibu remained impeached until otherwise stated by a higher court of appellate jurisdiction, while Shaibu’s replacement, Godswins Marvellous Omobayo, remained the authentic deputy governor.
The text of the statement reads: “The Edo State Government observed that some unsigned statements are circulating on social media purporting to appoint certain persons as aides in the Office of the Deputy Governor.
“The fake document should be disregarded as it is part of the provocative actions by the impeached Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, to foment crisis in the State.
“It is clear that the impeached deputy governor is hell-bent on creating a sense of chaos in the state, but the Edo State Government is resolved to put his antics in check and ensure that the state continues to run smoothly.
“We restate that Omobayo Marvellous Godwins remains the Deputy Governor of Edo State and the public is enjoined to disregard the shenanigans orchestrated by Shaibu.
“The government, once again, calls on citizens to rest assured that we will maintain peace and order as we charge them to go about their lawful businesses.”
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