My purported impeachment, a joke—Philip Shaibu

• Says it is illegal, threat to democracy

Impeached Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has dismissed his removal from office as a joke taken too far.

He is contending that the process leading to his purported removal was not only illegal but also a threat to the nation’s democracy.

In a reaction via a video shared on his X account, Shaibu denounced the impeachment.

His words: “It is with a heavy heart yet a resolute spirit that I come before you to address the recent events that have unfolded within our dear state.

“I denounce in strongest terms the illegal impeachment by the Edo state house of assembly over trumped-up charges.

“This is not just an attack on me as an individual but on the very democratic principles that we hold dear.

“It’s a dangerous descent into dictatorship, a threat to the foundation of our democracy.

“Let it be clear that this impeachment was hatched because of my ambition to contest the Edo Governorship election 2024 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

The Edo State House of Assembly had earlier on Monday impeached the embattled deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.

The impeachment followed the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the Assembly to probe allegations of misconduct against Shaibu.

The impeachment proceedings culminated in a dramatic vote that saw Shaibu ousted from his position.

The proceedings were initiated earlier this week.

Both the Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu and his counsel shunned the panel on the account that the its sitting was in defiance to court order.

But the panel overruled his counsel, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN) during it’s inaugural sitting.

Awoyale who represented Shaibu at the panel consequently excused himself from the sitting.

Notwithstanding the absence of Shaibu and his counsel, the panel eventually sat and forwarded its report to the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.