CRPP Warns Obaseki on Alleged Move to Impeach Deputy

Kano CP warns police against human rights violations

Adibe Emenyonu in Beni-city and  Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), Edo State chapter, yesterday in Benin-city warned the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to jettison his alleged impeachment plan against his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, and start preparing his handover note for his successor.

Similarly, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Usaini Gumel, has warned Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) against human rights violations while discharging their official duties. The CRPP Chairman, Samson Isibor, gave the warning in a statement.

Isibor, who noted that Shaibu has not committed any offence for choosing to contest the governorship election, said the deputy governor was only exercising his right and that any plan to impeach him could only lead to crisis in the state.

He said: “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 mooted by Governor Obaseki and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Blessing Agbebaku.

“The CRPP resolved that the impeachment idea is condemnable and uncalled for. This act by Governor Obaseki can ignite a chain reaction 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 that borders on corruption, misappropriation of public funds, and others.

“As far as we are concerned, Shaibu has not committed any of the above, rather he is fighting to contest for the governorship ticket of his party, the PDP, which he has every right to participate unhindered. Governor Obaseki has no right to continue to intimidate Shaibu.”

Meanwhile,  the  Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Usaini Gumel, has warned Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) against human rights violations while discharging their official duties.

Gumel issued the warning during an unscheduled visit to some police divisions within the Kano metropolis yesterday.

He reminded DPOs and other police officers that bail is free as long as the suspect fulfilled all bail conditions.

According to him, “I drummed it into the ears of the DPOs that bail is free as long as the suspect fulfills all the bail conditions. I also informed them that detainees are not supposed to stay more than 48 hours in the cell without bail or charging them to court.”

The CP urged them to always ensure the fundamental human rights of suspects at all times, and avoid actions capable of jeopardising their welfare and wellbeing. Gumel was accompanied by representatives from the Correctional Centre, the National Human Rights Commission, the judiciary, the office of the state Attorney General, and the Civil Society Organisations.

He said the unscheduled visit to police formations was in line with the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) launched last December.