TheCable

 Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo, has reacted to the purported defection moves by Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of the state, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Oshiomhole spoke on Thursday in Benin, Edo state capital, while reacting to questions from journalists.

BACKGROUND

On July 28, Shaibu approached a federal high court in Abuja with a suit to prevent an alleged impeachment plot against him.

In the suit, the inspector-general of police, state security service, governor of Edo, speaker of Edo state house of assembly, and chief judge of Edo state, were listed as first to fifth defendants, respectively.

The deputy governor asked the court to restrain the governor, the speaker of the state assembly, and the chief judge, from “initiating impeachment proceedings or sanctioning any impeachment” against him.

Shaibu accused the governor of preventing him from performing his constitutional duties.

Reacting to the suit, Obaseki alleged that the court action taken by Shaibu was a preemptive move ahead of his defection to the APC.

The Edo governor said there is no plan to impeach his deputy, while alleging that Shaibu has been actively engaging with members of the APC at the national and state levels, to negotiate his way into the ruling party.

On August 4, the court restrained Obaseki, the speaker, and other parties in the suit from initiating impeachment moves against Shaibu.

On Thursday, the court restated that parties in a suit filed by Shaibu should maintain the status quo, pending the next hearing date.

‘APC NOT REHABILITATION CENTRE’

Making reference to the issue, Oshiomhole said the APC is not a “rehabilitation centre”, adding that the rate of defection in political parties shows that the only “constant factor is Nigeria”.

The former APC national chairman wondered if the court can adjudicate on the purported impeachment of Shaibu.

“All I can say is that regardless of the party divides, it is my wish for Edo to be governed in peace and harmony because of the super party to which we all belong, the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said. 

“The political parties, even the rates of decamping and recamping shows that the only thing that is constant is Nigeria and not the political parties.

“To that extent, as someone who has had the rare privilege to be the chief steward at the Osadebe Avenue, it is my wish that this government and even future governments regardless of the political parties, govern in peace.

“But what I read, if that is what you are referring to about somebody going to court to complain about suspicion of being impeached.

“I don’t know how court adjudicate over suspicion, maybe I am a very poor legal student.

“I don’t know about that but let me say this, to say that somebody wants to run to APC, APC is not a rehabilitation centre.

“I can tell you that for free. We, APC, are satisfied the way we are, we are happy in opposition and we are not about to receive people who are coming because they have lost out. No IDP camp in APC.”