The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has addressed accusations that he plans to forcibly enter the State Government House on Monday to assert his reinstatement through an invasion.
Shaibu in a statement on Sunday, through his Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, urged the Edo State Government to accept the outcome of the 2024 governorship election.
Earlier, the Edo State Government accused Shaibu of plotting to invade the Government House following a court decision that reinstated him as deputy governor. The government expressed concern that Shaibu might try to enforce the ruling of Justice James Omotosho from the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In response, the government filed a stay of execution appeal against the ruling. Crusoe Osagie, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Government, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and concerned citizens to step in and prevent Shaibu from carrying out what he described as a “devious plot.”
“We want to draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police to the intelligence we have gathered regarding a planned move by the erstwhile Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, to forcefully enter the Edo State Government House to purportedly enforce the ruling of Justice J. K. Omotosho,” Osagie said.
Osagie warned that such actions could lead to unrest, referring to a previous incident where a police officer lost his life during a confrontation.
“The stay of execution is still pending at the Court of Appeal, and we appeal to the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the state does not descend into anarchy because of the ambition of one man. The last time Shaibu attempted this, it led to the death of a police officer. We believe that one death is already too many, and it would be wise to prevent a recurrence,” Osagie added.
He further noted that the government’s legal team has informed the Inspector-General of Police and other authorities about the appeal. Osagie emphasized that trying to enforce the court’s ruling before the appeal is resolved could complicate legal proceedings.
In response, Shaibu’s representative, Musa Ebomhiana, firmly denied the claims, describing them as “blackmail and propaganda.”
He stated, “There is no iota of truth in it, please. They should know that the election has been lost and won. This is cheap blackmail and propaganda.”
Shaibu’s legal counsel, Andrew Emwanta, also dismissed the accusations, calling them “balderdash.”
He reiterated that Shaibu has no intention of disrupting peace and urged the government to respect the judicial process.