One year after the Federal High Court reinstated him as Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has called on Nigerians to remain vigilant in protecting the nation’s democratic values.
Shaibu, now serving as the Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), made the call during a press briefing in Benin City on Friday to mark the anniversary of the July 2024 court judgment.
Reflecting on the legal victory that overturned his impeachment, Shaibu described the ruling as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s democracy.
“That judgment was not just a personal victory,” he said. “It was a beacon of hope. It proved that democracy, though fragile, can prevail when truth and justice are upheld. Democracy only thrives when no one is above the law and power is seen as a public trust—not personal entitlement.”
The judgment, delivered on July 12, 2024, by Justice James Omotosho, voided what the court described as an illegal impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly. Shaibu said the decision was a critical moment in the state’s democratic journey.
Recalling the events that led to his removal, he alleged that the impeachment attempt was politically motivated and orchestrated by former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
“It wasn’t just about removing me,” Shaibu said. “It was about subverting democratic institutions and betraying the will of the people. The instrument of impeachment was bastardised used not for accountability, but as a tool for personal vendetta.”
He also criticised the Edo State House of Assembly for what he termed complicity in the episode, accusing lawmakers of prioritising personal interests over constitutional integrity.
Shaibu acknowledged that the experience left many Nigerians disillusioned with democratic governance.
“People said to me, ‘If they can do this to you, what hope do we have?’ That was the deepest wound of all,” he said.
He, however, pledged a renewed commitment to public service and to upholding democratic ideals.
“Let’s build institutions, not empires. Let’s lead with humility, not hubris,” he said. “The dream of a better Edo, and a better Nigeria, is still alive.”
