THE reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has resumed office and instructed his staff to join him.
In a video broadcast on X on Monday, August 12, Shaibu stated that his action was in adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
“I announce my official resumption to the office. God Bless Edo State, God Bless Nigeria,” he tweeted.
Shaibu also expressed sadness over the death of a police officer killed in the company of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, days after a Federal High Court in Abuja reinstated him.
He was reinstated three months after the state House of Assembly impeached him.
Shaibu also disclosed that he had asked the state Governor Godwin Obaseki for permission to bring back his aides, but he had yet to get a response from the governor.
On July 20, The ICIR reported that Shaibu appointed a few aides to work in his office.
He appointed Musa Ebomhiana as Chief Press Secretary (CPS) and reappointed Kingsley Ehigiamusoe as Chief of Staff (COS).
Shaibu also appointed seven other persons to serve in various capacities.
The state government condemned the appointments and described his actions as ‘provocative’.
In a statement released by the State’s commissioner for information and communication, Chris Nehikhare, on Saturday, July 20, the government stated that it had filed a stay of execution of the FHC judgment.
The ICIR reports that it remains unclear if two deputy governors will co-exist in the state as the governor promptly replaced Shaibu with Omobayo Godwins shortly after he was impeached.
A reporter with the ICIR
A Journalist with a niche for quality and a promoter of good governance