Philip Shaibu, the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, expressed confidence that his recent removal by the state House of Assembly would not be upheld in the long run. He alleged that his impeachment was politically motivated due to the upcoming September 21 governorship election in the state. Shaibu made these remarks during a meeting with Emperor Jaret Tenebe, the acting Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at his residence in Abuja.
Shaibu emphasized his resilience and asserted that he would not yield to pressure, despite the impeachment proceedings. He stated that he had not been officially served with the impeachment notice and believed that the judiciary would rectify the situation. He assured Tenebe of his continued cooperation and loyalty, affirming their shared goals for the future, particularly focusing on the September 21 election.
In a widely circulated video, Tenebe, during his solidarity visit, condemned Shaibu’s impeachment as a sham and encouraged him to pursue legal avenues to challenge it. Tenebe reassured Shaibu of the APC’s support, emphasizing that the impeachment was disgraceful and contrary to democratic principles, which he believed the courts would address.
This solidarity visit from Tenebe comes amid protests from some APC members in Etsako West Local Government Area against Shaibu’s potential return to the party. The protesters voiced their opposition, claiming that Shaibu’s presence would not benefit the party.