EDO, Nigeria – The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, on Tuesday, insisted that he’s not an impostor.
Reacting to claims by the state’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, Shaibu said calling him an impostor was an affront to the judiciary.
Nehikhare had called Shaibu an impostor shortly after he resumed office as the Edo State Deputy Governor.
However, speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, Shaibu faulted Nehikhare’s claim.
He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, describing the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu as an impostor.
“To say the least, the statement, in its entirety, is an affront to the judiciary, and a clear violation of a valid court order of July 17, 2024, as delivered by Hon Justice James Omotosho of the FCT Federal High Court.
“We also view it as an insult to the people of Edo State who overwhelmingly voted for the Godwin Obaseki/Philip Shaibu joint ticket in the governorship election of September 2020.
“It’s a known fact that the Edo people never voted for Marvellous Omobayo as their deputy governor. It’s also a known fact that in the eyes of the law, Omobayo is only a political appointee of Governor Godwin Obaseki who imposed him on the people of Edo State.
“So, Nehikhare should know, except if he wants to be mischievous, Omobayo is the impostor who should stop parading himself as the Edo State Deputy Governor because he was never voted for.”