by Nurat Uthman
Philip Shaibu, the former deputy governor of Edo, and Monday Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, escaped death on Thursday when their convoy was attacked in Benin City by suspected gunmen.
Witnesses said the incident happened Thursday afternoon near the Benin airport, shortly after the two politicians arrived to a rousing welcome by their supporters.
It was said that their convoy came under attack at the exit gate of the airport when some gunmen in a Sienna car opened fire at them.
There was an exchange of fire between the assailants and the security operatives attached to the APC candidate and the former deputy governor, according to a witness.
“The intervention of the mobile squad of the Nigeria Police brought the situation under control,” a witness said.
“Several officers continued shooting to disperse the attackers as they fled in a Toyota Sienna bus.”
However, a police officer identified as Okon, attached to the APC candidate, died during the shootout.
On July 17, a federal high court in Abuja nullified the removal of Shaibu as deputy governor of Edo state.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, James Omotosho, the presiding judge, held that Shaibu’s impeachment violated the provisions of the law.
The court declared that Shaibu’s ouster on April 8, 2024, by the Edo state house of assembly was politically motivated.
Consequently, the judge ordered his reinstatement and directed the inspector-general of police (IGP) to immediately restore the plaintiff’s security.
In June, Shaibu declared support for the APC candidate, noting that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is parading an outsider as its flagbearer.
The off-cycle governorship election in Edo is slated for September 21.
