Security has been beefed up at the Government House in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Benin over the likelihood the reinstated Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, will resume office on Monday.
Many security operatives, including policemen, Department of State Services (DSS) officials and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others are on standby, with many Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
They prevented vehicles into Government House from the first gate with staff, journalists, visitors, and others politely asked to trek, leaving their cars behind.
Edo Deputy Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the effect that Edo State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, is making plans to invade the Government House on Monday, September 30, 2024, in a bid to enforce two different court judgements, ordering his reinstatement.
“We want to put it clearly here that, unlike Governor Godwin Obaseki, Philip Shaibu is a peace-loving man, who firmly believes in the rule of law and would not want to shed innocent blood, for whatever reason.
“As it is today, in eyes of the law and in the eyes of the good people of Edo State, indeed, Nigerians, Philip Shaibu is the de jure and de facto Deputy Governor of Edo State. We need not fight or struggle for that which God has given us.
“Obaseki and his co-travellers should accept the fact that the good people of Edo State have spoken, and his godson, Asue Ighodalo, has been roundly rejected at the governorship election of September 21, 2024. Sadly, this reality is yet to dawn on them.
“Crusoe Osagie (Special Adviser to Edo Governor on Media Projects), the purveyor of the fake news, is well known as an alarmist and propagandist who thrives on rumours and beer parlour gossips, with little or no respect for the ethics of our cherished profession, Journalism. So, he has to be ignored.”
Special Adviser to Obaseki on Media Projects Crusoe Osagie accused Shaibu of planning to invade Government House with thugs.
Obaseki’s media aide alleged that the planned invasion by Shaibu, was to enforce his reinstatement despite the fact that a stay of execution appeal had been filed, challenging Justice James Omotosho’s judgment.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, and all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on Shaibu to refrain from his “devious” plot, which he described as a clear recipe for chaos.
But Shaibu’s camp denied the allegation, saying he is a man of peace.
Southsouth Bureau Chief BISI OLANIYI examines the profiles of deputy governorship candidates in Edo State and how they are likely to impact on the political process.
The governorship election in Edo State will hold on September 21. There will be a change of government on November 12.
Seventeen governorship candidates and their running mates are expected to participate in the exercise across 192 wards in 18 local government areas.
The political parties and governorship candidates are: Action Alliance (AA) – Uwaifo Osaro, Social Democratic Party (SDP) – Anerua Abdullai Aliu, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) – Azena Azemhe Friday, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) – Osifo Isiah, All People Movement (APM) – Ugiagbe Odaro, All People Party (APP) – Areleogbe Amos Osalumese,
Action Democratic Party (ADP) – Akhime kingson Afere, African Action Congress (AAC) – Udoh Oberaiafo, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) – Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena.
Other governorship candidates are Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – Asuerinme Ighodalo, Boot Party (BP) – Osirame Edeipo, African Democratic Congress (ADC) – Obazele Paul Agbone, Labour Party (LP) – Olumide Akpata, All Progressives Congress (APC) – Senator Monday Okpebholo, People Redemption Party (PRP) – Key Patience Ndidi, Young Progressive Party (YPP) – Okungbowa Paul Ovbokhan, and Accord (A) – Iyere Kennedy.
Other deputy governorship candidates are PDP – Osarodion Ogie, BP – Okhaide Rotimi Festus, ADC – Frank Ilaboya, LP – Alufohai Oluyinka Faith, APC – Dennis Idahosa, PRP – Ojo Abuomwande Advice, YPP – Mustapha Hammed Tijani, and A – Bright Enabulele.
The leading political parties in Edo are APC, PDP and LP, while leaders and members of the 14 other parties that are fielding candidates for the crucial poll will also try their best to convince the electorate to vote for the candidates of their parties.
Idahosa:
The youthful Idahosa hails from Benin Kingdom in Edo South and he currently represents Ovia Constituency in the House of Representatives.
APC’s deputy governorship candidate was on February 17, 2024 declared winner of the direct governorship primary election at the highbrow Protea Hotel, Benin by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who was the Chairman of the primary organising committee, but some of the governorship aspirants protested to the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, which led to ordering of fresh poll.
The keenly-contested repeated governorship primary election of APC, on February 22, produced Senator Monday Okpebholo, the representative of Edo Central senatorial district, as the standard bearer of the party, as declared at Lushville Hotel and Suites, Gapiona Avenue, in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin, by the new chairman of the direct primary-organising committee, Senator Bassey Otu, the Governor of Cross River state.
The reconciliation efforts of the leaders of APC in Edo and at the national level led Idahosa to accept to be running mate to Okpebholo, while the strategic combination will help the party to sweep the votes in Idahosa’s Edo South with the largest voting strength, since Okpebholo hails from Edo Central with the least voting strength.
The APC deputy governorship candidate is a grassroots politician, who has consistently been winning elections in his unit, ward, local government area, state House of Assembly, and federal constituency.
Idahosa, also a world-class entrepreneur and investor, with his exposure and experience, will surely add value to APC’s joint ticket, thereby making the main opposition party in Edo to be the winner of the crucial poll.
Ogie:
Ogie, a lawyer, hails from Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Benin Kingdom, Edo South senatorial district, and he is the current Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG) in the Godwin Obaseki’s administration, the position he has held since 2016.
The deputy governorship candidate, a thinker, master strategist, who is always very quiet, was one of the arrowheads of the Grace Group, tagged: “No man is God.” It emanated from the PDP, with the members being against what was then perceived as the authoritarian nature of some of the then bigwigs of PDP.
Some members of the grace group later formed the nucleus of the defunct Action Congress (AC), which metamorphosed to the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and now APC.
When Comrade Adams Oshiomhole became Edo governor in 2008, Ogie was appointed the Chief of Staff, while in Oshiomhole’s second tenure from 2012, he emerged the Commissioner for Works.
In 2016, shortly after the inauguration of Godwin Obaseki as governor, Ogie was appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The PDP’s deputy governorship candidate, with his wealth of experience and political sagacity, will help the governing party in Edo to emerge victorious.
Alufohai:
She was the Chairperson of LP in Owan West LGA, in Edo North senatorial district, with the second largest voting strength in Edo state.
The deputy governorship candidate of LP will adequately complement and promote the party’s standard bearer, Olumide Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who is an indigene of Benin Kingdom in Edo South senatorial district, to emerge victorious, in his first attempt to be Edo governor.
Aigbede:
The youthful politician was the party’s candidate for Egor Constituency in Edo House of Assembly during the 2023 general elections, which she lost. With her experience in politics, she will add value to AA’s joint ticket.
Ahmedu:
The grassroots politician will definitely mobilise for his party, but the impact may not be felt.
Alokha:
Little is known about the politician, who has a lot of work to do to convince Edo electorate to vote for the party.
Agunu:
The party is not popular in Edo State, and Anthony is not well known by most of the electorate. So, APGA winning the governorship election will be a Herculean task.
Sylvester:
In spite of the efforts being made and strategies being adopted, little is known about Timothy, who was described by his allies as a mobiliser.
Oyarenua:
The little-known Anwaosi will find it so difficult to make serious impact at the poll.
Obazee:
Most Edo electorate do not know the politician, who has to work much harder to make meaningful impact.
Lawal:
He is a former Chairman of AAC in Edo state, but the party may not make serious impact during the election.
Idubo:
The pastor and educationist will add value to the joint ticket, in view of her wealth of experience.
Okhaide:
BP may not be keen about winning the election, in view of its unpopularity in Edo, while its leaders and members are not trying to make a difference in the state, as the deputy governorship candidate is barely known by most of the electorate.
Ilaboya:
He is an experienced politician who aspired in 2015 to represent Owan West constituency in Edo House of Assembly on the platform of APC. He is no pushover in politics, as he will add value to his party’s joint ticket.
Ojo:
The little known deputy governorship candidate may struggle to make impact during the election, considering the unpopularity.
Mustapha:
Tijani’s political party is not popular in Edo state. So, he may not make serious impact.
Enabulele:
Enabulele is an influential politician, but his party is not popular, and he may not make impact during the election.
The September 21 governorship election in Edo may be won by either the candidate of APC, PDP or LP, in view of the popularity of the political parties in the state, while the standard bearers of the 14 other participating parties will start early to prepare for the 2028 poll. A word is enough for the wise.
Despite has come the way of two ex-Insurance officials Mr George Omokaro and Pa Pulley Osayande, who have been down with varied life-threatening health challenges as Edo deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu has promised to offset their medical bills with additional cash for upkeeps.
Comrade Shuaibu made the promise when he paid a solidarity visit to the two ex-Insurers in Benin last night.
Shuaibu, in separate meetings with the ex-Insurers, told them that the Obaseki government does not turn its back on those who had served the state meritoriously and assured them of support.
“The information on your health condition came to my attention yesterday and I feel you people deserve our support. And I want you to know that you are not abandoned. We are taking care of your medical bills and will also follow up with the process until you are okay.” He assured.
The deputy Governor specifically directed that Mr Pulley be taken to UBTH for further treatment by medical experts as he was not pleased with the condition he met him after the surgical operation done on him in a private hospital in Benin.
Mr George Omokaro is one of the greatest players that ever played for Insurance. He was captain of the team in his time and father of Charles Omokaro the current captain of Insurance. George Omokaro also at a time, served as FA chairman in Edo state and was NFF board member, while Pulley Osayande served as a driver popularly referred to as ‘Pilot one’.
Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu was 49 years old yesterday.
But the occasion was devoid of funfare, according to his Chief Press Secretary, Comrade Ebomhiana Musa.
He said this was on account of the recent death of Chief Anthony Anenih, a prominent son of the state.
”You know that we just lost one of our elder statesmen, Chief Anthony Anenih.
“His rites of passage which started in Abuja last Thursday ended on Saturday with the interment in Uromi,” Musa said in a statement in Benin.
He added: ”The deputy governor is sensitive to all these and he directed that there should be no celebration in line with the mood of the State. Only prayers and supplications to God for him and the State.”
Shaibu was born in Kaduna, Kaduna State into the family of Pastor & Mrs. Francis Shaibu of Jattu, Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
AS the convoy arrived the arena – devoid of the usual fanfare and siren sounds heralding the presence of top government officials or VIPs, he alighted from his official car spoting a colourful football jersey. Within a twinkle of an eye, he made straight to the athletics tracks and sprinted round the stadium for over thirty minutes. For the spectators and other guests present for the much-publicised event of the day, it was an amazing scenario to behold the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, sweating it out like a professional sportsman preparing for a major championship.
Dateline: Friday, January 20, 2017 at the main-bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City – the Edo State capital – shortly before the commencement of a novelty football match between the ”Bench and Bar” in honour of the out-gone Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Cromwell Idahosa, as part of activities lined-up for his meritorious retirement from active service.
After the pre-match formalities between the two teams and match officials, the centre referee blasted his whistle to signal the formal commencement of the match with Comrade Shaibu featuring for the bench, comprising legal luminaries and judicial officers such as High/ Appeal Court judges, magistrates of Customary Courts and high ranking Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN). While the Bar Team comprised majorly of practicing lawyers from across the state.
The match started on a fast tempo with both sides sizing up each other with their cautious approach, but all eyes were on Philip Shaibu who left no one in doubt that he was on the turf for serious business as he displayed flashes of a core professional player with his mesmerising moves that dazed the spectators who cheered him on for more scintillating and entertaining actions.
Indeed, the deputy governor held the fans spell-bound by making ceaseless goal-bound incursions into the vital area of the Bar Team. He was simply spectacular and outstanding each moment he held on to the ball so much so that the excited crowd kept on singing his praises.
The enterprising efforts exhibited by Philip Shaibu paid off in no time when his side was duly awarded a penalty by the match umpire, after he was hacked down by an overzealous defender of the Bench Team right inside the eighteen-yard box, in a futile attempt to stop his dangerous foray towards the goal-post. His team-mates unanimously picked him to take the penalty kick and he lived up to the trust reposed in him as he confidently placed the ball in the penalty spot, waited for the referee’s whistle, after which he perfectly tucked the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper far into the extreme corner of the net. Expectedly, the goal was greeted with wild celebrations by the jubilant crowd.
On resumption of the second half, the expectations of the fans became so high as they became very anxious for more thrills and frills as a result of the skills and artistry displayed by both sides, more so, when they were eager for more goals from the lethal boots of Philip Shaibu.
To be very frank, Shaibu, by reckoning of many fans, was the man-of-the match as he was everywhere on the pitch with his unique style of play and ball distribution to his team-mates.
His unquenchable hunger for more goals with his top of the form runs earned the Bench Team a well- deserved second penalty of the match when the desperate central defender of the bar tackled him from behind and brought him down inside the box during a goal-mouth scramble, with the centre referee promptly responding by pointing to the spot for a penalty kick.
For a while, there was palpable silence on the part of the Bench Team supporters as their players clustered round themselves to decide who takes the penalty.
Without much ado, the lot fell on the main striker who skillfully swerved the opponent’s goalkeeper to the wrong side and shook the net with a powerful shot, while their supporters – including the man being honoured (Justice Cromwell Idahosa) – erupted in ecstatic jubilation.
However, at the final blast of the referee’s whistle, the Bar Team had won the thrilling encounter with an emphatic five goals to two against their Bench opponent. Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the glittering golden trophy to the skipper of the winning Bar Team by no less a personality than the deputy governor of the Heartbeat State, Philip Shaibu, who doubled as the Executive Guest of Honour at the ceremony.
In a post-match interview with sport writers, the deputy governor expressed satisfaction with the high standard performance put up by both sides even as he reaffirmed the commitment of the current administration under the proactive leadership of Governor Godwin Negheghase Obaseki to reposition the sports sector and restore Edo State to her glorious era of sporting excellence in the comity of states in Nigeria and beyond. He commended Justice Cromwell Idahosa (Rtd.) for the giant strides he made during his tenure, adding that he would be greatly missed by the government and good people of Edo State.
Also speaking, the Special Guest of Honour, Justice Cromwell Idahosa, stated that he was highly elated for the honour done him and expressed his desire to continue to work for the upliftment of the Nigerian justice system in particular, and the country in general.
A football enthusiast who witnessed the exciting match had this to say: ” It was amazing watching Philip Shaibu playing the round leather game and he dazzled like Jay Jay Okocha; he really played like a true professional. For me, I am so delighted to say that he is such a multi-talented young man, who, no doubt, is a source of inspiration to our youths.”
Of a truth, Shaibu is akin to the proverbial golden fish that has no hiding place. He is one young man that has been wonderfully created and wondrously endowed with talents by the divine creator for the benefit of humanity.
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr Pius Odubu, has assured the people of Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state that the agenda of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is to create prosperity for the state.
Odubu who spoke at the APC ward campaign at in Ugo’niyekorhiomwon, said of elected as governor, Obaseki will not fall short of the people’s expectations as he has worked with the government in developing the communities in the state.
He urged the people to ignore the political gimmicks of the PDP as they are up to no good assuring the people of Orhionmwon that APC leaders in the area will ensure that the promises of the governorship candidate is brought to bear in the lives of everyone.
“Obaseki who is coming to take over from our governor, comrade Adams Oshiomhole has said he will provide stable electricity for you. He was able to do roads, he will fix the light. What you people will do is that since he is working for us, the vote in this entire area should all go to the APC. If you vote for the APC we will be with you to ensure they fulfill on their promises.
“The road in this area is the longest in Edo State, in those days it was not like this. Oshiomhole has worked, Obaseki that is coming will work more than him.
“You should not allow the PDP to tell you what they are not capable of, we (APC) are in this town and we will develop the area to the fullest,” he said.
Speaking shortly before the ward to ward campaign of the APC in Orhionmwon, the Enogie of Ugo’niyekeorhiomwon, His Royal Highness Chief Edugie Ogierhiakhi Ogiugo, in company of the Enogie of Ugboko, HRH Solomon Ewemade and other top palace Chiefs, urged Obaseki to follow suit the development governor Adams Oshiomhole has done for the entire state.
He commended the governor for a job well done and prayed for him and the APC candidate.
On his part, the APC candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki promised to decongest the high traffic in the city by opening up new towns through infrastructural development and establishment of industries that will give every community in the state a sense of belonging.
Obaseki who seek the support of the traditional institution in the provision of security for investors that are ready to come and invest in various parts of the State.
He said, “The next state we are on to now is going to be of different challenges and that is why I have come here to solicit your support. The next phase is where we now begin to use the roads and schools to our development. We will post more teachers to our schools so that we can provide quality education but more importantly we need to expand the economy of our state and bring back our population.
“We have oil and gas around here it is now time to build new towns around us,” he stated.
On his part, Governor Adams Oshiomhole says the state government will will immediately commence the reconstruction of dilapidated structures in two primary schools in the Local Government Area, namely, Adanako Primary School, Ugo and Idumogo Primary School, Urhonigbe, in continuation of the state policy of upgrading educational facilities for optimum teaching and learning.
Speaking at the APC governorship campaign rally at Adanako Primary School, Ugo, Governor Oshiomhole said, “my farewell gift to this Ugo, before I leave offtice, even before the election day, is I will reconstruct this dilapidated school building and put red roof. As for the already completed one, we will supply furniture by next week. Our children must sit comfortably on good chairs so that they won’t need to wash their school uniform every day. If the classroom and the floor are clean, school uniform won’t be dirty every day.”
He said, “The work that is yet to be done is much. As we speak, we are working at Iguododo Pimary School and many other places. In Orhionmwon, I think we have done about 25 schools. We worked in every ward. We have shown you our candidate. He has been working with us for the past eight years in this government. He knows what we have done and what we have not done. Godwin is your son. He knows how we have been working, and so, he must continue to do the work.”
At the APC rally at Idumogo Primary School, the Governor said, “Let me tell you what I mean by continuity and consolidation. We say this one so that people will not forget. Now, we are going to pull down this roof and raise the walls and put red roof, so that on the whole of this place, there is no more evidence of PDP. I will start it and Godwin will finish it. That is what we mean by continuity: continuity of red roofs, continuity of good roads, continuity of tap water and continuity of providing jobs for the youths and support for women.”
According to Oshiomhole, “The other one is that rubber plantation that has already been given to a new investor who will rebuild it, and we have given them additional land. I have already signed the certificate of occupancy so that they can return back to work. When it is working, youths will be employed and even women will be cooking for factory workers and money will circulate.”
Oshiomhole said, “If I am the Okakuo of Urhonigbe, and they don’t have light, that will be shameful. That is why I said since the Okakuo of Urhonigbe is the Governor, my people must get light. So, I have told the Okaevbo that Edo State Government will pay the twenty million naira for the electricity bill owed by Urhonigbe community. I have told the Okakuo of Urhomehe that we will talk to BEDC so that when we pay that money, they will restore light to Urhonigbe.”
