Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has been accused by an ally of his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, of being economical with the truth on the avoidable face-off over the renovation of Edo Interdenominational Government House Chapel in Benin.
Obaseki, on Wednesday, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Religious Matters, Rev. Osagie Ehrunmwunse, who is also the Pastor-in-Charge of the chapel, accused Shaibu of mischief over the renovation of the chapel.
Edo governor insisted it was unfortunate that Shaibu continued to stir controversy over the renovation of the chapel.
However, the deputy governor’s associate yesterday described Obaseki’s statement as an afterthought.
He said: “They are jittery, because God is already fighting His own battle, as they have
decided to dismount the chapel, which has been in existence for over two decades, for the sake of politics. No doubt, as men of God, we see it as sacrilegious.
“In their desperation, they hurriedly put out an unsigned extract, purported to be Exco decision. The question here is, why was it not signed? The statements of defence, separately issued by Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie and Ehrunmwunse are in conflict. In one breath, the chapel is still in use (for Governor Obaseki and his wife, Betsy, only, since they have now relocated to the Government House). In another breath, an alternative place of worship has been provided within the Government House.
“The same chapel was repainted last November, in preparation for Christmas. How come a whopping sum of N300,161,278.17 was approved for another renovation? Yet, this government has less than 10 months to exit office? In fact, the money can put up a new chapel building. All these do not add up. It shows that some persons are only being economical with the truth.
“If not for mischief, and a clear declaration of war on the house of God, how come that the Catechist was given a verbal notice to pack out of the chapel ‘immediately’, or else he will meet his things outside?’ If actually the so-called renovation was well intentioned, there would have been a written notice to that effect, to those concerned.”
Shaibu’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa, was contacted for his reaction, but he declined to respond.
The Edo deputy governor ally declared that it was obvious the actions of Obaseki and his aides were clearly a declaration of war on the church, especially the Catholic faith, which Shaibu belongs to.
Obaseki in Wednesday’s statement also alleged that his deputy was trying to use things Nigerians and Edo people see and hold as sacred, such as religion, to whip up political sentiments.
He said: “In the last couple of days, we have seen posts on social media and various media outfits, suggesting that the state government has shut down the chapel, and prevented people from using it as a place of worship.”
“Following closely from this narrative, our dear brother, the deputy governor, held an outdoor mass with some catholic faithful, clearly showing that he is the mastermind behind the persons circulating the video and the accompanying false commentary, as his actions seek to curiously authenticate their false claims.
“It is unfortunate that the deputy governor has embarked on this lowly adventure, attempting to stoke religious animosity to embarrass the government, in which he serves.
“We want to bring the attention of the public and other relevant stakeholders to the fact that Deputy Governor Shaibu was present at the 57th Exco meeting held on November 1, 2023 when approval was given for the renovation and remodelling of the Government House Interdenominational Chapel. He served as vice chairman of the council at that meeting. The project is being handled by Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency.”
Obaseki also urged Shaibu to deploy the efforts being used for mischief to his political (governorship) aspiration, and not use sacred matters as materials for his campaign.
The governor said he believed many things might be permissible in politics, but not profaning God’s name for the purpose of gaining cheap sympathy, and trying to blackmail the government in which he serves as the number two citizen of the state.
