By Editor
The spokesperson of MEGA, Ehidiamen Clifford has chronicled the political life history of the impeached deputy governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, saying it has been allegedly characterized by violence.
He disclosed this in statement signed and made available to journalists in Benin City.
According to him “Over the years, we have always maintained that the character of leaders we elect into public offices is more important than the office itself.
“When leaders who are supposed to be ambassadors of peace and drive same in the society, resort to violent means of engaging issues, it is a shame, to say the least.
“From his (Philip’s) days at the Edo State House of Assembly, where he clandestinely worked his way into the office of the Majority Leader of the House, Philip’s tendencies to perpetuate violence, crime and disabilise the society has been second to none.
“During that era, Edo people saw a House full of rancour, turbulence and thuggery, which extended to disturbing businesses within the King’s Square axis. Many a time, Edo State House of Assembly would be barricaded while economic activities are grounded to a halt.
“This recent violent actions and forceful display of political gangsterism demonstrated by Philips Shaibu that has claimed the life of a dedicated mobile police officer in Edo state and left many with vary degrees of injuries, is worrisome and must not be swept under the carpet.
“Talking about court process and the rule of law, Shaibu should know better that a judgement at the lower court does not finalise a matter under judicial jurisprudence.
“Except otherwise, matters will have to go to the Appeal Court and even the Supreme Court, which is the apex court of the land whose decision can not be appealed.
“Having been duly impeached by the legislative arm of government in Edo state, the least expected of a supposedly responsible leader as Shaibu ought to be, is to patiently wait for the completion of the legal process.
“In the event that enforcement of the court judgement in his favour is required, the law enforcement agencies are those solely recognised by law to enforce said judgment.
“In a manner that is typical to him, Shaibu resorted to mobilising thugs, “agberoes”, hoodlums to force his way into Government House against the will of Edo people and the law. This amount to treasonable felony and must be treated as such.
“It is on good authority that the Commissioner of Police in Edo state was at the airport to prevail on Shaibu from taking laws into his hands. However, because of his appetite for violence and the joy he derives from spilling the blood of innocent citizens during his political engagements from time in memorial, he disregarded the Police and proceeded in a riotous manner into the streets of Benin City with his thugs.
“It is sad that the Nigeria Police Force has lost a fine, gentle, and hard-working officer as a result of the wayward attitude of Shaibu. The officer was allegedly down by stray bullets.
“To add salt to injury, Shaibu and his acolytes, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC gubernatorial candidate for Edo State and Jarrett Tenebe, Edo State Chairman of APC, in flagrant disrespect for the fallen officer and his family and without any modicum of decency or empathy, proceeded to parade the remains of the fallen officer through the streets of Benin City, hoping to incite the polity. Their need to ignite violence, was so desperate that it blinded them to all sensibilities of the family and friends of the late officer.
He however called on the police to investigate and unravel the circumstances that led to the officer’s death.
“I call on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate and prosecute Shaibu, while he takes full responsibility for the family the slain police officer left behind, as there must be consequences for his actions, no matter how highly placed in the society.
“Rest well, officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our sincere condolences to you family and the NPF”, Clifford added.