Barrister Anselm Ojezua, a former governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, has condemned the impeachment of Philip Shaibu by the State House of Assembly.
DAILY POST reports the Edo State chapter of Coalition of Registered Political Parties, CRPP, who also condemned the impeachment described it as uncalled for, smacked of political vendetta and predetermined game by Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Ojezua, who was one of the 10 aggrieved PDP governorship aspirants during the party’s primary, noted that the offences alleged to have been committed by the impeached deputy governor doesn’t make sense to him.
He added that with the impeachment, members of the House have only succeeded in exposing themselves as unserious lawmakers when lots of issues begging for attention are not discussed by the members.
“That somebody complained of not being invited to executive council meeting which he is entitled to by law is an impeachable offence. And that a retired judge sat on the panel that also admit that it is impeachable offences is worrisome.
“I am embarrassed and disappointed that the governor would allow such under his watch, knowing that Shaibu played a role in his elevation to governor two times.
“I thought they will come up with the allegation of corruption or scandalous conduct that will tend to embarrassed deputy governors office but that was not the case.
“I doubt if this would stand in court of law, I don’t know what they want to achieve but maybe they want to massage someone’s ego”,he stated.
He alleged that the house carried out the impeachment in contempt of Court because there is a court process going on on the matter.
He, however, wondered why the lawmakers and members of the impeachment panel were not in Court to show cause why the court should not give (Shaibu) whatever he is asking.
On his part, the State chairman of CRPP, Dr Samson Isibor in a statement in Benin City alleged that the former deputy governor does not commit any impeachable offence.
Isibor, who described the impeachment as rascality displayed by the lawmakers, however, added that, “our consolation is that the Edo governorship election is coming up in few months time,at which Edo people will laugh last to say it is good riddance to bad government.
He, commended the former deputy governor for not appearing at the so called “kangaroo panel”.
He opined that if he (Shaibu) had appeared at the panel, he would had gave credence to the illegally constituted panel against the court order.
“We are advising Comrade Shaibu to forge ahead with the court process. He will definitely reclaim the mandate given to him by Edo people,which was illegally truncated by Obaseki.
“CRPP is strongly behind you. We assure you of our unchangeable support all the way,” he added.
Edo: Ex-PDP governorship aspirant, Ojezua, CRPP condemn Shaibu’s impeachment