The Gubernatorial Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Dr. Udoh Oberaifo, on Monday, condemned in strong terms the impeachment of deputy governor Philip Shaibu by the Edo House of Assembly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shaibu was impeached on Monday for “revealing government secrets”.
He has been replaced by Marvellous Godwins Omobayo as the new deputy governor.
In a statement in Benin, Oberaifo said regardless of the charges levelled against Shaibu, due process was not followed.
Oberaifo who noted that Shaibu was not given a fair hearing and described the impeachment as a blatant disregard of the principles of justice.
“Of particular concern is the fact that the impeachment proceeded despite a pending case filed by the deputy governor at the Federal High court.
“This legal action should have warranted a status quo, yet the impeachment was carried out regardless, casting doubts on the motives behind the hurried proceedings,” he said .
The AAC candidate raised the alarm over the connection between the Labour Party (LP) and the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state .
He alleged that the new deputy governor was a card-carrying member of LP, and was yet to resign his membership as at the time he was sworn in.
“This action is in clear violation of the Electoral Act 2022 and it underscores the connivance between the LP and PDP to consolidate power,” he added.
He condemned the display of political maneuvering and warned against godfatherism that has permeated Edo politics.
He urges the people of Edo state to reject the PDP and LP at the polls, come September 2024, and embrace the AAC as a viable alternative.
Oberaifo called on all Edo people to rally behind the AAC, embrace its programmes, visions, and manifestos, and cast their votes for him as the next governor of the state in September