The Edo State Government in Nigeria has issued a stern warning, urging the public to disregard any correspondence from Philip Shaibu, labeling his actions as a clear case of impersonation.
This comes after Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor, resumed duty and directed his staff to do the same.
In a statement released by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Osa Nehikhare, the government clarified that Shaibu is not recognized as the deputy governor, and any communications from him should be considered fraudulent. “It has come to the attention of the Edo State Government that the former Deputy Governor, Comr. Philip Shaibu, has been carrying out correspondence with different institutions and organisations both within and outside the State in a clear case of impersonation,” Nehikhare said.
He further stated, “In the interest of the safety of these organizations, we want to restate that Shaibu is not the Deputy Governor of Edo State, and every correspondence from him in that regard should be disregarded and considered a forgery.”
The legal battle over Shaibu’s purported reinstatement is ongoing, with the next court hearing scheduled for September 24, 2024. Nehikhare added, “The issue of his purported reinstatement is still active in court, and the next hearing for the two separate motions filed by the State Government and the Edo House of Assembly challenging the purported reinstatement by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court is fixed for 24 September 2024.”
The government emphasized that Omobayo Marvelous Godwins remains the deputy governor, and warned that anyone engaging with Shaibu does so at their own risk. “Therefore, the status quo is that His Excellency, Omobayo Marvelous Godwins, remains the deputy governor of Edo State, and any correspondence carried out by any other person, including Philip Shaibu, is an act of impersonation, and anyone who deals with him does so at his or her own risk.”
Finally, Nehikhare called on security agencies to monitor the situation closely, stating, “Security agencies are, by this notice, alerted to the potential breach of peace and are urged to hold Philip Shaibu responsible for any security breach in the State arising from his ignoble actions,” He said.
