Former Edo Deputy Governors Philip Shaibu and Omobayo Godwins engaged in a public altercation at the Former Deputy Governors Forum in Abuja arguing over who legitimately represented the state following a controversial impeachment and subsequent court ruling .
The Scene of Contention
A dramatic scene unfolded at the Fourth Annual National Conference of the Former Deputy Governors Forum in Abuja where political tension boiled over between two men who have both laid claim to the office of Deputy Governor of Edo State Philip Shaibu and Omobayo Godwins The clash centered on the crucial question of legitimacy and representation for Edo State at the gathering of former officeholders .
The confrontation began when Omobayo Godwins was introduced as a former deputy governor of Edo State at the event This introduction immediately drew a public objection from Philip Shaibu who insisted that the introduction was improper and that he was the rightful court-reinstated former occupant of the office The verbal confrontation briefly plunged the event into a state of chaos as the two men publicly argued over the validity of their respective tenures and subsequent status .
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Philip Shaibu’s Stance Claiming Legal Mandate
Philip Shaibu who was the Deputy Governor serving under former Governor Godwin Obaseki was impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly in April 2024 Following the impeachment Omobayo Godwins was sworn in as his replacement However a significant turn of events occurred when a court later ruled Shaibu’s impeachment to be unlawful and ordered his reinstatement .
Shaibu vehemently argued at the forum that since a court judgment had declared his removal illegal his office was never legally vacant thereby nullifying Omobayo’s brief tenure He reportedly insisted that Omobayo was never elected but was brought in through the backdoor Shaibu maintained that he and not Omobayo was the legitimate former officeholder and the rightful person to represent Edo State at the forum His argument rests firmly on the judicial pronouncement that voided his impeachment proceedings .
Omobayo Godwins’ Response A Sad Reality
In response to Shaibu’s public objection Omobayo Godwins expressed disappointment describing the clash as almost a national disgrace He defended his position by stating that he never made myself deputy governor implying that his assumption of office was a response to an existing political and constitutional vacuum created by the impeachment which was a decision by the relevant state organs at the time .
While maintaining a tone of calm Omobayo who referred to Shaibu as an elder brother suggested that Shaibu should accept the court case outcome and the complex reality of the situation as a sad reality to live with Omobayo’s brief tenure ended when the former Governor Obaseki’s administration concluded and a new government was sworn in following which the current Edo State Government issued an order demanding Omobayo return all state-owned property citing his brief and illegitimate tenure thus further complicating the narrative around the legitimacy of his time in office .
The Root of the Conflict A Judicial and Political Tussle
The dramatic confrontation is a public manifestation of a deeper protracted legal and political crisis surrounding the Edo Deputy Governorship .
- April 2024 Philip Shaibu is impeached by the State House of Assembly and Omobayo Godwins is sworn in as the replacement .
- July 2024 A court voids Shaibu’s impeachment orders his reinstatement and holds that the impeachment proceedings failed to comply with due process and were based on untenable allegations .
- End of Tenure Both mens official relationship with the state government ended with the swearing-in of the new administration on November 12 .
- Contempt Charges Shaibu had previously initiated contempt proceedings against Omobayo for allegedly refusing to vacate the deputy governorship position following the courts reinstatement order demonstrating the ongoing legal battle over the validity of the office from the time of the impeachment to the end of the term .
The dispute at the Former Deputy Governors Forum underscores the complex legal questions arising from the courts reinstatement of Shaibu and the political reality of Omobayos brief occupation of the office While the court ruled in favour of Shaibu’s continued legal status the political events that unfolded placed Omobayo in the position creating two competing claims to the offices recent history .
Dynamic Disclaimer Requirement
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources concerning the clash at the Former Deputy Governors Forum Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets and court records for the most current and verified details regarding the political and legal status of the individuals involved .