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Oshiomhole Denies Involvement In Impeachment Move Against Shaibu …CRPP Condemns Move
The lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District and the Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has denied his alleged involvement in the move to impeach the embattled deputy governor of Edo State, Phillip Shaibu.
A statement by Oshiomhole’s legislative aide, Victor Oshioke, said the report in the social media linking the former governor of the State to the plot to impeach Shaibu was fake.
The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to an article circulating on social media regarding a purported plan by the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki to call on lawmakers of Edo State House of Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
“Ordinarily, we would neither be concerned nor bothered by what methods the characters in the unending feud within the Edo State PDP employ to settle scores among themselves. However, we are compelled to clarify and set the record straight because in the said article, it was falsely claimed, and I quote ‘our reporter also gathered that the governor have(sic) already gotten across to Senator Adams Oshiomhole to help him lobby and talk to the APC lawmakers in the House to support the impeachment move against Philip Shaibu since he and the deputy governor are not in good terms with the Edo North Senator.
“We wish to categorically state that Senator Oshiomhole has not, at any time, engaged in discussions with Governor Obaseki regarding plans to impeach his deputy.””Let it be put on record that Senator Oshiomhole, as the apex leader of the APC in Edo State, is solely focused on fostering goodwill between the people of Edo State and the APC, with the goal of winning the upcoming governorship election and returning the state to a path of progress under an APC government.
“Also, it is important to state that matters of impeachment are the sole responsibilities of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Edo State Judiciary. Political parties have no constitutional role to play in any impeachment process. Therefore, the notion that Senator Oshiomhole can influence the actions of APC lawmakers should there be any impeachment exercise in the Edo State House of Assembly is simply preposterous. Senator Oshiomhole has not and will not engage in any deals with Governor Obaseki on this or any other political issue.
“Lastly, we urge all Edo people to approach articles of this nature with skepticism if the authors fail to take credit for their allegations. As we begin the process leading to the September 2024 governorship election in our beloved state, let us all strive for truthful and responsible discourse in our political environment.”
In a related development, the Coalition of Registered Political Parties, CRPP, has called on Governor Obaseki to jettison his alleged impeachment plan against his deputy and start preparing his hand over note for his successor.
The CRPP Chairman, Samson Isibor, who gave the warning in a statement, said that Shaibu has not committed any offence by choosing to contest the governorship election and that he was only exercising his right and that any plan to impeach him would lead to crisis in the state.
The statement read in part: “The CRPP in its emergency meeting on March 3, deliberated on the political development in Edo State particularly the purported plan to impeach the Deputy Governor being muted by Governor Obaseki and the Speaker Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku.
“The CRPP resolved that the impeachment idea is condemnable and is uncalled for. This act by Governor Obaseki can ignite a chain reactions, which can lead to anarchy
“We implore the governor to jettison the idea of impeachment and work towards the peaceful transition of power to the next elected governor of Edo State. As far as we are concerned, the Deputy Governor has not committed any impeachable offence or breached his oath of office. The Edo people have the exclusive right to call for his impeachment if he commits any offence like corruption, misappropriation of public funds. Governor Obaseki has no right to continue to intimidate Shaibu.”
The Tide reports that the Edo State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, served Shaibu an impeachment notice, giving him seven days to respond to the allegation of constitutional infractions.
At the sitting of the House on Wednesday, the Majority Leader, Mr. Charity Aiguobarueghian, announced that a petition to that effect, dated March 5, 2024, was signed by 21 of the 24 members against the deputy governor, adding that the number of members who signed the petition were more than the two-thirds requirement stipulated by the Constitution.
He also announced that the petition was based on two grounds: perjury and revealing of government secrets.
The House Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, who acknowledged receipt of the petition, directed the Clerk, Yahaya Omogbai, to serve the impeachment notice on Shaibu and gave the deputy governor seven days to respond.
Shaibu has been in the eyes of the storm following his frosty relations with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, over the Edo governorship ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.