The power tussle cum festering melodrama in Edo and Ondo states around the fate of the deputy governors, continued to rage on with Edo state Governor Godwin Obaseki asking his deputy, Philip Shaibu to renounce his governorship ambition before his plea for forgiveness can be accepted, Blueprint has gathered.
Also, to save his political career, Shaibu’s counterpart in Ondo state, Lucky Ayedatiwa, has asked the state High Court to stop the House of Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him.
This is pending the hearing and determination of the suit that he filed in court.
Edo
For Shuaibu, however, he has to make decision between his 2024 governorship ambition to make peace with his boss, or damn the consequence and proceed with his planned action, Blueprint has learnt.
This was part of the condition reportedly handed out to Shaibu if his “sins” must be forgiven following his public apology during which he sought forgiveness from governor Obaseki.
A source close to the governor said: “If Shaibu dares to participate in the forthcoming primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he will be excluded from all government activities, including meetings of the Edo State Executive Council.”
Shaibu had while pleading for forgiveness said: “I have resumed in my new office, though it is still under renovation. I am sorry my Governor and we need to keep working together.”
“I appeal to the Governor, if there is anything that I don’t know I have done wrong, please forgive me and let’s continue as we have always been the envy of many States.
“Like I have always told people, I am a loyal servant who will always support the Governor. It is a vow which nothing can change,” he had stated
The duo have been locked in bitter political feud after Shaibu asked Abuja Federal High Court to stop the governor and the State Assembly from impeaching him.
However, Shaibu had to withdraw the litigation, citing interventions from traditional rulers and religious leaders.
Already, the deputy governor was evicted from his official office in the Government House and allocated an office in a building outside of the facility.
…Ondo
In the neighbouring Ondo state, the deputy governor is asking the state High court to halt move by the House of Assembly from proceeding with move to impeach him.
In suit No. AK/348/2023 filed at the High Court in Akure Monday, September 25, 2023, the deputy governor is seeking a declaration that the House of Assembly is not competent to proceed on his impeachment.
He said the move was in breach of his constitutional and fundamental rights to fair hearing and that the sacking of his media aides and directing him to the Ministry of Information headed by a commissioner, amounts to a breach of his rights and privileges as a deputy governor.
The plaintiff also sought a declaration that his office, tenure, status, rights and privileges are protected, guaranteed and secured by the constitution.
He also asked the court to declare that in the determination of his civil rights and obligations as a deputy governor of Ondo state by the House of Assembly, he is entitled to a fair hearing and that given the utterances and conduct of the House of Assembly so far, there is likelihood of bias against him in the impeachment process.
Ayedatiwa further said in conducting media trials against him without serving him with any notice of gross misconduct, the House Assembly had already constituted itself into accuser, investigator, prosecutor and judge.
The embattled state’s number two man therefore sought orders of injunction to stop the House of Assembly from initiating, continuing or proceeding with the process of his removal from office as the deputy governor of the state.
He also prayed the court for an order stopping the Chief Judge of Ondo state from accepting or acting upon any request from the House of Assembly of Ondo state to set up any panel to investigate any acts of gross misconduct against the deputy governor.
…Speaker alleges threat to life
Meanwhile, Speaker Ondo state House of Assembly Olamide Oladiji has alleged threats to his life, after discovering a fetish object in front of his official residence.
Oladiji told journalists Monday in Akure that all the lawmakers in the House had been having sleepless nights since they commenced the impeachment process against the deputy governor.
“Early this morning, we discovered that a sacrifice was placed in the lodge. Aside from that, I have been receiving strange calls from strange people threatening my life and other members.
“I have not been using the place except sometimes for parliamentary meetings. At least, we have been there for more than two times for meetings but I don’t sleep there because the place requires overhauling with the present state.
“l am using the medium to tell the world that my life is under threat. I call on the security operatives to checkmate these people who have been threatening my life and other members.
“This threat started since the day we began the impeachment process. I have already reported to NSCDC among other security agencies,” he stated.
Oladiji said the House had also been unable to serve the impeachment notice on Ayedatiwa, since last week.
He, however, said the House had secured a court affidavit to serve the deputy governor the letter through other means.
Oladiji said all the 26 lawmakers in the House had appended their signatures on the petition for the impeachment of the deputy governor.
The speaker debunked insinuation that the lawmakers collected N5 million each to initiate the impeachment process.
He said that the 10th assembly under his watch would not compromise.
“Whenever there is an impeachment case like this, people think that the executive must have lured the legislature to begin the process.
“I want to tell the whole world that we did not receive any gratification from anybody or anywhere.
“We are doing our work as lawmakers.
“We appropriate and at the same time, monitor what we appropriate. Let me tell you 26 lawmakers have now signed the letter which we will serve to him today,” he stated.
NAN
