Someone ought to advise Philip Shaibu that a sitting governor’s unavailability to answer telephone calls does not equate to “trying to impeach him”.
His recent act of seeking a legal injunction against an impeachment that, apparently, nobody was pursuing is a startling demonstration of a self-inflicted narrative that seems to be spun from thin air.
Indeed, the actions and statements emanating from the Deputy Governor himself seem to be driven more by personal ambition and childish indignation than by any substantive
allegations of wrongdoing. His fears, intensified by his move to seek legal protection against a contrived impeachment, underscore the type of person that he truly is.
In what mature political environment would a deputy take umbrage to the point of litigation over something as trivial as unanswered phone calls or perceived slights at official functions?
Let’s take a closer look at this supposed injustice that has been paraded before our revered courts. Mr. Shaibu details in his complaint a series of events that are perfectly normal within
the context of governance. Yet, he has chosen to inflate these incidents into a full-fledged legal drama, exploiting the judiciary for personal gains and painting them with the dark brush of conspiracy.
This legal misadventure should be called out for what it is- nothing more than a spectacle, a grandstanding move to gain public sympathy and to create a narrative that fits his personal
political agenda. It is upon these coattails that he hopes to ride into the position of governor of Edo State.
This, instead of contributing constructively to alleviating the sufferings of the common man during these very trying times.
The allegations levelled by Shaibu read like the script of a tawdry political drama, filled with petty grievances and gross exaggerations. To turn to the courts without so much as a sensible claim is an abuse of court process, and an insult to the serious legal matters that our judicial system must contend with.
The mention of impeachment, in particular, is puzzling. Where is the evidence of any plan to unseat him? Where are the plots, the witnesses, and the factual foundation for this severe claim? It appears that the very mention of impeachment has been thrown into the mix merely
to sensationalise a situation that is otherwise unremarkable.
In addition, the content and spirit of his inane petition reveal him for who he is: a childish, delusional character seeking attention that ought to be completely ignored. It is not immediately clear what he seeks to achieve with the false alarm, other than to draw attention to himself.
What is clear, though, is that he does not understand the gravity of the office he holds, nor does he respect an electorate that is struggling for survival in the face of the prevailing harsh economic situation in Nigeria today.
At the end of the day, Philip Shaibu’s brazen sense of entitlement is more than a political misstep; it’s a threat to the very democracy that gave rise to his position. A presumption that he should naturally succeed to the Governorship without consideration for competence, public opinion, or democratic procedure reveals a mind that misunderstands the core
principles of governance.
This is not a monarchy; political office is not a birthright but a fair contest where public trust must be earned.
Indeed, the tale of Philip Shaibu is a cautionary one, a vivid example of how personal ambition can corrupt and how misplaced trust can lead to discord. It is a lesson for all in
politics that character matters, that loyalty must be genuine, and that power should never be sought for its own sake.
*Olaleye Akerele wrote in from Ekpoma, Edo State.
