Deputy Governor Shaibu Warns Against Pre-Election Violence in Edo

Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, has issued a strong warning against violence and anti-democratic activities ahead of the September 21 governorship election.

Shaibu, who was impeached on March 18 and reinstated by the court on July 17, made this statement during a thanksgiving service at St. Paul Catholic Church in Benin to celebrate his court victory.

In his speech, Shaibu called for unity and peaceful conflict resolution, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace despite provocations.

Describing himself as a child of God, Shaibu recounted his faith during the impeachment ordeal, stating, “I challenged God to prove that I am truly His son. They said they would impeach me, and by the time the court judgment came, my tenure would be over. But God proved them wrong, and the judgment came earlier than expected on July 17.”

He urged the youth to avoid violence, stressing that they can achieve their aspirations without resorting to the streets. “You can be who you want to be if you are consistent and do what is right all the time. Don’t let anyone disrupt this democracy. You must stand your ground to ensure democracy succeeds,” Shaibu said.

Shaibu also highlighted the consequences of violence, stating that it would only lead to suffering. “Nigeria cannot afford to go to war. There are too many economic problems that need to be solved,” he added.

Addressing allegations that he orchestrated the attack at Benin Airport, Shaibu accused the state government of attempting to cover up the incident. “They killed a policeman and all of them must be held accountable. The men of the vigilance group and Public Work Volunteers did that. They want to drag people in, so I call on the President and the Inspector General to set up an inquiry, not just to investigate but to disband the vigilance group and POWOV,” he said.

Shaibu emphasized that he has changed his approach, now using his intellect rather than resorting to violence. “I don’t move people to the street anymore. They said I would soon go to the street, but I didn’t. I use my brain, and I have been winning,” he stated.

Earlier, Rev. Fr. Charles Omogiate, the officiating priest at the church, cautioned against killings for political positions. He reminded the congregation that positions come and go, but human lives are irreplaceable. “If you take lives and property because you want a position, know that you are on the path to destruction because God gives life and only He has the power to take it,” the cleric said.