Shaibu Recalls Impeachment Battle One Year After Court Victory

One year after a Federal High Court nullified his impeachment, former Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu has described the episode as a low point for Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking in Benin, Shaibu, now director-general of the National Institute for Sports, blamed his 2024 removal on political scheming led by Governor Godwin Obaseki. “It wasn’t about me—it was about suppressing institutions and silencing the will of the people,” he said.

The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, had ruled that the Edo State House of Assembly acted illegally in removing Shaibu. Reflecting on the judgment, Shaibu called it a “beacon of hope” that showed the judiciary still had the strength to defend democratic order.

He condemned the role played by the state legislature, describing it as a “rubber stamp” used for personal agendas. “Impeachment was no longer a tool for accountability. It became a weapon of vendetta,” he said.

Shaibu said the hardest part was seeing public trust in democracy shaken. “People came to me and asked, ‘If this can happen to you, what chance do the rest of us have?’ That hurt the most,” he said.

He added that his reinstatement was not just a personal win but a triumph for the rule of law. “Justice may be delayed, but it cannot be denied forever,” he said.

Shaibu thanked his legal team, family, and supporters, and urged Nigerians to stand firm in protecting democratic values. “Power should serve the people—not be used against them,” he said.

To those behind his removal, Shaibu warned that no one is above the law. He reaffirmed his commitment to public service and called for a renewed national effort to uphold democracy.