…calls Shaibu’s conduct a blatant disregard for law and order
The Edo State Government has called on the Federal Government to probe the impeached former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, over his violent conduct aided by thugs in parts of Benin City, which led to the death of a gallant police officer.
The state government described Shaibu’s conduct as a blatant disregard for law and order.
Recall that there were reports of violence and shooting at the Airport Road axis in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Thursday by suspected thugs loyal to Philip Shaibu on the arrival of the impeached former Deputy Governor to the state in the company of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Speaking at a press conference in Benin City on Friday, the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy, Chris Nehikhare, urged the Federal Government to immediately set up an independent committee to probe the violent mayhem that was unleashed on Edo people by Philip Shaibu and his thugs.
“We are all aware of what happened in the state yesterday and it stems from the actions of the impeached former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, following the judgement of the Federal High Court that voided the impeachment. Just like he had the right to go to court, so also the Edo State government and the House of Assembly have the right to appeal that judgement. That judgement we believe was faulty and it’s our right to go up to the appellate court,” Nehikhare said.
“Immediately we received the CTC yesterday morning, we filed for a stay of execution on the court order and because the first thing you do is to have a notice of a stay and once that is done the status quo remains, being that Philip Shaibu remains impeached Deputy Governor,” he said.
The Commissioner stated that even when someone gets a judgement, it is the duty of the police to execute such a judgement and not the individual, and that was what the state witnessed yesterday, a blatant disregard for law and order.
“It is the duty of the police or law enforcement agent to execute judgement, nobody that gets judgement executes the judgement by himself or with the aid of thugs. What we saw yesterday was a blatant disregard for law and order,” Nehikhare said.
He accused Philip Shaibu and the governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Monday Okpebholo, of bringing thugs to destabilise the state and unleash mayhem on innocent Edo people going about their lawful businesses.
“Philip Shaibu in the company of his new-found friend, the candidate of the APC, Senator Monday Okpebholo, mobilised thugs and brought in street urchins in an attempt to destabilise Edo people and destabilise Benin City. They brought thugs in hundreds from their political party and their friends, and they broke into the Benin Airport,” he said.
Nehikhare called on the Federal Government to set up a high-power investigative panel to investigate the incident that transpired yesterday in Benin City. He also commiserated with the family of the police officer who lost his life as a result of the violent shooting.
“The Federal Government is aware and we believe at this point they should actually set up a high-power investigative panel to investigate exactly what happened yesterday. It is so sad, and the Edo State Government commiserates with the family of the police officer who lost his life in that unfortunate incident.
“Edo State Government is calling on the Federal Government, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to begin a serious investigation for us to know the root cause of what happened yesterday and for us to also know the cause of the death of the gallant police officer whose duty was to protect the APC candidate,” he emphasised.
The Information Commissioner said that Edo State people are resolute and will not be cowed by what some persons are ascribing as federal powers, stating that the upcoming September 21 governorship election will be free and fair.
Also speaking at the press conference, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Project, Crusoe Osagie, said, “We express our condolence to the family of the police officer that passed away on the account of this mindless incident that happened yesterday.
“We think it is squarely on the part of Mr. Philip Shaibu because he was warned by no other person but the Commissioner of Police that this sort of thing could happen if he carried out his wave of violence to the streets, but he defied the Commissioner of Police’s advise and came out still to cause this violence.
“So we believe the full responsibility for this death sits squarely on the doorsteps of Mr. Philip Shaibu and justice should be served.”
Osagie called on all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses and stated that efforts have been put in place to ensure that this violence does not degenerate.
