According to The Nation, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has expressed a willingness to reconcile with his deputy, Philip Shaibu, with a key condition being that Shaibu withdraws his aspiration to run in the September 2024 State gubernatorial election….CONTINUE READING...CONTINUE READING
Sources indicate that Governor Obaseki expects Shaibu to make this decision publicly, or he risks exclusion from all government activities, including State Executive Council meetings if he doesn’t comply.
The ongoing feud between the two political figures revolves around Shaibu’s gubernatorial ambitions. Governor Obaseki hails from the Edo South Senatorial district, whereas Shaibu is from the Edo North.
Governor Obaseki is backing Asue Ighodalo, a lawyer from Edo Central, in the spirit of ensuring fairness, justice, and equity in the gubernatorial race. Ighodalo also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alaghodaro, an annual investment drive organized by the state government.
Despite these pressures, Deputy Governor Shaibu remains resolute about participating in the Governorship election.
In mid-September, the State Government relocated Shaibu’s office to the Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Benin City, converting his former Government House Office into the secretariat for the annual Alaghodaro summit. Last Thursday, Shaibu offered an apology to his superior for their political differences.
Reports suggest that Governor Obaseki conducted the state’s weekly Executive Council meeting/retreat in Lagos without Shaibu. The Deputy Governor was allegedly dispatched to Abuja on another assignment during this time.
This retreat, designated as Exco Retreat with Mr. Governor, is an annual event for strategic planning and discussions on government programs for the coming year.
During the retreat, Obaseki reportedly informed members of his inner circle that if Shaibu were to participate in the Peoples Democratic Party Governorship primaries, his security privileges and involvement in government activities would be suspended.
An anonymous source revealed, Obaseki discreetly sent Shaibu to represent him at two events in Abuja while he, along with his commissioners and heads of Edo Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), convened the state’s weekly exco meeting at a Lagos resort. There was no prior notice to Shaibu regarding the change in the meeting’s day or location.
Governor Obaseki’s decision to redirect his deputy to Abuja is connected to his determination to ensure that Shaibu cannot argue that he was intentionally excluded from the Lagos exco meeting when he was also on official state assignments.
The Governor desires to have his deputy by his side in Lagos once all the conditions for reconciliation are met, including Shaibu’s public renunciation of his governorship ambition, allowing Obaseki to solidify his endorsement of Asue Ighodalo as his successor.
Edo Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare; Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie; the newly-appointed Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Edo governor, Andrew Okungbowa; and Shaibu’s Chief Press Secretary Ebomhiana Musa, declined to comment on these “sensitive” matters….CONTINUE READING
