Philip Shaibu, recently reinstated as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, has urged for peace and condemned any form of violence and anti-democratic behavior in the lead-up to the September 21 governorship election.
Shaibu, who was impeached on March 18 and reinstated by the court on July 17, made these remarks during a thanksgiving service at St. Paul Catholic Church in Benin, celebrating his court victory.
In his speech, Shaibu stressed the importance of unity and resolving conflicts peacefully, regardless of provocations. He described himself as a “child of God” and shared that he had sought divine intervention to manifest God’s presence in his life.
“I said, prove to the world that truly I am your son.
“They said they will impeach me, and when I go to court and by the time the judgment would come, the tenure would be over.
“But God proved them wrong and the judgement came earlier than expected on July 17,” he said.
He warned the youths against violence, saying they could be whoever they wanted without going to the streets.
“You can be who you want to be when you are consistent and do what is right all the time.
“Don’t let anyone disrupt this democracy.
“You must stand your ground to make sure that democracy succeeds,” said the deputy governor.
He said violence would only lead to suffering, adding that “Nigeria cannot afford to go to war.
“There are too many economic problems that need to be solved,” he said.
On the allegation that he was the mastermind of the Benin Airport attack, Mr Shaibu said the state government was only trying to cover up.
“They killed a policeman and all of them must be picked up.
“The men of the vigilance group and Public Work Volunteers did that.
“They want to drag people in, so I called on the President and IG to set up an inquiry, not just to investigate but to proscribe the vigilance group and POWOV,” he said.
The deputy governor said he had changed his style and now used his brain instead of resorting to violence.
“I don’t move people to the street anymore.
“They said I will soon go to the street, but I didn’t go.
“I use my brain, and I have been winning,” he said.
Earlier, the officiating priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Charles Omogiate, cautioned against killings in the name of seeking for positions.
Position, he said, would come and go but human beings would remain.
“If you take lives and property because you want position, know that you are on the part of destruction because God gives lives and only He has the power to take lives,” the cleric said