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Tag: Obaseki

  • Delta tanker explosion: Obaseki extends condolence to victims’ families

    Delta tanker explosion: Obaseki extends condolence to victims’ families

    The governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki on October 2, commiserated with families of the victims of the petrol tanker explosion at Koko Junction in neighbouring Delta state.

    He expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident while stating that the loss of lives was regrettable.

    Obaseki said: “We are saddened by the news of the petrol tanker explosion at Koko Junction in Delta state. We commiserate with the government and people of Delta State over the tragic incident. We sympathise with the families of the victims.

    Read Also: Crisis hits Edo PDP over Obaseki’s succession plan

    “Nigerians must desist from attempting to scoop petrol, whenever there is an accident involving tankers.” 

    He also stated that it was pertinent to consider safety first, in case of accidents involving tankers, and report to the appropriate authorities.

  • Crisis hits Edo PDP over Obaseki’s succession plan

    Crisis hits Edo PDP over Obaseki’s succession plan

    Crisis has hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State over Governor Godwin Obaseki’s succession plan.

    The State Executive Committee of the chapter is polarised by the plan, which its Publicity Secretary, Vasco Ogie, said is devoid of equity and justice.

    Ogie said in a statement yesterday that the next governorship primary will determine the survival of the chapter.

    He urged governorship aspirants to brace up for the exercise, following the release of the guidelines for the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    However, he alerted the aspirants to the governor’s style, which he insisted, is devoid of equity and justice.

    Ogie’s comments underscore the gravity of disunity in the Edo PDP and the tension between members loyal to the governor and those loyal to Dan Orbih, who is an associate of Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    But, Obaseki, who appears to have increasingly consolidated his hold on the party, has refrained from joining issues with party officers opposed to his leadership.

    Read Also; Process for picking my successor must be fair, inclusive- Obaseki

    Ogie assured aspirants of a free and fair shadow poll, which will be conducted by after the release of primary guidelines by the National Working Committee (NWC).

    The statement reads: “The Edo chapter of PDP wishes to inform the general public and teeming supporters that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has published its timetable for the conduct of the Governorship election in Edo State in 2024.  We call on all our intending aspirants to take note of the timelines of activities.

    “On Friday 29th September 2023, the Governor of Edo State, HE Godwin Obaseki addressed journalists and expressed his desire to “finish strong” and swear in a successor on November 11th 2024. We politely disagree here and make bold to state that it is the Chief Judge that has the constitutional duty to swear in who will succeed him. 

    “The governor further stated that, “It is not in my place to now determine, appoint or anoint any successor but all I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion because our goal is to keep Edo as one”.  On this we agree completely with the Governor.

    “Our only reservation on this is that he has not exhibited fairness, equity and justice in conducting the affairs of government since his assumption of office.

    “We hereby assure Edo people that the ideals of “fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion” mentioned above are the hallmarks of PDP which will not be lost in our quest to nominate a gubernatorial candidate in 2024, from amongst our committed and dedicated Party loyalists who have stood by the Party all these years. Our nominee will be a candidate acceptable to all Edo people. The guidelines of the Party will be strictly adhered to in nominating the candidate.

    “While we await the publication of the guidelines for activities from the National Working Committee, we assure all our party faithful that we shall conduct a free and fair process to pick a candidate in February 2024.”

  • Process for picking my successor must be fair, inclusive- Obaseki

    Process for picking my successor must be fair, inclusive- Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has declared that the process of seeking his successor, ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election must reflect fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion, while insisting that his administration’s focus is to finish well and strong.

    Obaseki spoke yesterday in Benin, while addressing Government House correspondents.

    Edo governor, according to top officials of the state government, who spoke in confidence, revealed that Obaseki wanted as successor, a Lagos-based renowned lawyer, Asue Ighodalo, from Esanland/Edo Central Senatorial District, in order to ensure equity, justice and fairness, since the immediate governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, hails from Edo North senatorial district, and he (Obaseki) is an indigene of Benin in Edo South senatorial district.

    The Deputy Governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu, a former member of the House of Representatives and ex-President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), of Edo North senatorial district, insisted that loyalty to Obaseki had nothing to do with ambition/governorship aspiration, while maintaining that he would vie next year, and succeed his boss on November 12, 2024.

    Edo governor said: “It is not in my place to now determine, appoint or anoint any successor, but all I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion, because our goal is to keep Edo as one.

    “For me, that is the only issue I understood that may be a problem and that should not stop us. The important thing for us, as an administration, is for us to finish well, strong and try to complete everything we told Edo people we would do for them during our campaigns.”

    Read Also: Atiku on fishing expedition, Tinubu tells US court

    On his relationship with Edo deputy governor, the chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP (Obaseki), claimed that he had nothing personal against the former Majority Leader of Edo House of Assembly (Shaibu), who insisted that Oshiomhole, an ex-National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), remained his political godfather and benefactor.

    Obaseki, who accepted his deputy’s apology on Thursday, after withdrawing his anti-impeachment suit from the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, stated that the issues with Shaibu were very straightforward, but declined to give the details.

    Edo Secretary of PDP, Hillary Otsu, however, declared that Obaseki would never be allowed to produce his successor, for the governing party in the state (PDP) not to lose the crucial election, while disclosing in an interview that the next Edo governor and deputy would be produced by the Legacy Group in the state’s PDP, led by the National Vice Chairman, Southsouth, of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, the immediate Edo Chairman of PDP, who is one of the allies of a former governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, now FCT Minister.

    Obaseki, while accepting his “loyal” deputy’s apology, was silent on if he would allow him (Shaibu) to return to his official office in Government House, from the newly-allocated office at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin.

    Edo governor also kept mute on whether the disbanded media team of Shaibu would be restored or the state’s deputy governor would continue to depend on Edo Ministry of Communication and Orientation for publicly of his activities and media coverage.

  • Why Obaseki can’t produce successor, by Edo PDP Secretary 

    Why Obaseki can’t produce successor, by Edo PDP Secretary 

    Hillary Otsu, Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, spoke on the crises in the chapter and how it is likely to affect its chances in future polls. Excerpts:

    The main structure of the PDP was said to be in the hands of the legacy PDP, but the governor’s camp got the nominations to contest the 2023 election. What really happened?

    It is common knowledge that some members of the National Working Committee were compromised in the processes that threw up those the governor supported and their list drawn up in the Government house. The allegations of corruption levelled against the Dr. Iyorchia Ayu led NWC led to a long drawn bitter challenge all the way to the Supreme Court by the legacy PDP candidates. So, it was a battle won by Gov. Obaseki with the full support some members of the NWC. Some have alleged that funds were deployed to facilitate the political macabre dance.

    Do you think the fact that the PDP fared badly in the 2023 general election (Presidential and National Assembly) in Edo State was a consequence of this?

    Of course, I stand to be corrected but all the candidates fielded by Gov. Obaseki were unpopular and most voters in their various constituencies were also aware of the illegal processes which brought them. So many of the voters who followed all that transpired leading the emergence of Obaseki’s candidates worked and voted against them and most PDP supporters opted to work against the illegal candidates by supporting other candidates.

    That’s why you see that in many places they gave support to APC candidates and in some, to Labour candidates, leading to unprecedented victories for those Parties. For example PDP has never lost Edo Central and South Senatorial seats before, while a Labour candidate swept the Edo South Senate seat, after leaving PDP for Labour just a few months to the election.

    Furthermore, I believe there was an uncoordinated conspiracy by all to prove to the world that Obaseki wasn’t a popular governor. Many of us were pleased that the national body has come to realise that without the Legacy PDP, Obaseki cannot win Edo State for PDP. And so for the first time in history PDP also lost Edo in a Presidential election and did not win a single National Assembly seat. Compare that with previous years when we had no Obaseki in our party, when Chief Dan Orbih was leading PDP as a strong opposition party, we always won at least two Senate seats and a minimum of four or five House of Reps seats.

    It isn’t rocket science to understand that Obaseki coming to PDP turned out to be a curse and not a blessing, both to PDP and to Edo people. This narrative of a curse can even be perceived on the streets of Benin City and major cities.

     Is there any move presently to remedy the situation or reconcile?

    I am not aware of any moves to reconcile because I am sure that I would be asked to convene such a meeting. Reconciliation in any human endeavor can only be anchored on justice and equity. Is there any way those two principles can be achieved in Edo PDP today? I daresay no.

    Read Also: Obaseki finally accepts Shaibu’s apology

    So, I believe that the conversation should be about going forward, meaning, how do we achieve equity, justice and finally peace and cooperation in the face of the impending decisive gubernatorial election. There is only one way: Just like Gov. Obaseki had the Party’s ticket and brought his Deputy, contested and won the election with support and efforts of Legacy PDP, the Party this time around must extend  same privilege to Legacy PDP by letting them bring the next Guber candidate with the Deputy. This will guarantee peace and unity in Edo PDP.

    The Legacy PDP recently held meetings in the state to energise the party ahead of the governorship election. How did the meetings go?

    The meetings were ecstatic in all ramifications. I personally felt very fulfilled. The energy that Legacy members brought to the meeting was so infectious that, by the end of the final state meeting, so many calls and visits were coming from hundreds of people who didn’t get invitations. Also a very large number of PDP members who had been cajoled by the Obaseki antics came calling and running to apologise for going astray. And I am speaking of even former government appointees and elected officials. They all want to be associated with the Chief Dan Orbih led Legacy PDP. You see, history will always vindicate the Just especially when you pursue a cause of Justice. When you suppress the truth and allow injustice to prevail, what you get is what we have now in Edo state.

    What advice will you give to the national leadership in advancing the cause of the party in next year’s governorship election?

    I want to believe that Dr. Ayu left the office of National chairman with Obaseki’s unmerited favour that destroyed Edo PDP. As you are aware, the NWC as it stands today has been more diligent in its dealings and a good number of the members would probably do things differently, if given another opportunity.

    However, my advice to them is that, we must all respect the maxim that “all politics is local”. They must therefore encourage the Party in the state to nominate a popular and homegrown candidate. This should also be carried out based on strict compliance with the Party constitution and the Electoral Act of 2022. We must not repeat the anomalies of the 2022 congresses and primaries, or else we allow APC or Labour to have a walkover.

    Governors usually insist on playing a major role in who succeeds them and the governor is rumoured to have fingered a Lagos lawyer as his successor. Is this supported by the Legacy group?

    Capital NO. I already gave my answer to this above. Legacy will nominate a Governor and Deputy of our choice, and PDP will become much stronger. Trust me, most of Gov. Obaseki’s closest political allies have echoed it that Edo State will never accept another stranger to govern its people. If the person you mentioned now is the same person I have heard from some sources, then it’s dead on arrival. Gov. Obaseki does not have the kind of goodwill needed to promote an unknown stranger in Edo State. When Oshiomole did it with him, Oshiomole had optimal goodwill and acceptance. If Edo people are given a choice today, they will vote against any candidate that Gov. Obaseki supports. I am sure you can see it’s a bit of a dicey situation. We have exactly one year to the election, time to get serious.

  • Obaseki: I forgive Shaibu’s ‘aberrant behaviour’

    Obaseki: I forgive Shaibu’s ‘aberrant behaviour’

    • Governor directs deputy to rein in aides

    After months of feuding, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has finally accepted the public apology by his “aberrant” deputy, Philip Shaibu.

    The governor accepted that to err is human and to forgive is divine.

    Obaseki spoke yesterday in Benin, the state capital, but was silent on whether or not he would allow Shaibu to return to his official office in the Government House where he was ejected on Monday and relocated to 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue in the Government Reservation Area (GRA).

    He said: “I have noted the public apology made by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Comrade Philip Shaibu. This apology followed an aberrant behaviour that contradicts what the people of Edo State stand for.

    “To name a few, the deputy governor needlessly filed unfounded petitions in the Nigerian courts, restraining me, the State House of Assembly, and security agencies from a non-existent impeachment process, followed by repeated breaches of protocol; unwarranted and unprovoked attacks in the media on my person and the state government.

    Read Also: Confederation Cup: Insurance vow to win for Obaseki

    “The media frenzy, as a result of the above and more, provided an impression of crises that have been precarious and distasteful to Edo people in the state and across the world.

    “Although these unwarranted provocations caused me severe personal discomfort, as a person of faith, I am under obligation to accept this apology, because, as they say, to err is human, to forgive is divine.

    “In good faith, I trust that the public apology, as expressed by the deputy governor, is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict-resolution skills. I also enjoin the deputy governor to guide his proxies to act in accordance with his piety.

    “It is my sincere hope and that of my other colleagues in government and all well-meaning Edo people that this rhetoric will be put to an end forthwith to enable this administration finish strong and deliver the dividends of democracy to the greatest number of Edo people over these final 12 months.”

    Shaibu, on September 21, pleaded with Obaseki to forgive him, saying he was sorry.

    The embattled deputy governor confessed that he missed his boss.

    The Nation efforts to get Shaibu’s reaction to Obaseki’s truce were abortive last night.

    There were no responses to the calls and messages sent to the mobile and WhatsApp numbers of his Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa.

  • Obaseki finally accepts Shaibu’s apology

    Obaseki finally accepts Shaibu’s apology

    Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, has accepted the public apology made by his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, stressing that to err is human, while to forgive is divine.

    Obaseki accepted his “loyal” deputy’s apology on September 28, but he (Edo governor) was silent on if he would allow him (Shaibu) to return to his office in Government House, from the newly-allocated office at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin.

    Edo governor said: “I have noted the public apology made by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu. This apology followed an aberrant behaviour that contradicts what the people of Edo state stand for.

    “To name a few, the Deputy Governor needlessly filed unfounded petitions in the Nigerian courts, restraining me, the State House of Assembly and security agencies from a non-existent impeachment process, followed by repeated breaches of protocol; unwarranted and unprovoked attacks in the media on my person and the State Government. The media frenzy as a result of the above and more, provided an impression of crises that has been precarious and distasteful to Edo people in the state and across the world.

    “Although, these unwarranted provocations caused me severe personal discomfort, as a person of faith, I am under obligation to accept this apology, because as they say, to err is human, to forgive is divine.

    “In good faith, I trust that the public apology as expressed by the Deputy Governor is genuine, and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict-resolution skills. I also enjoin the Deputy Governor to guide his proxies to act in accordance with his piety.

    “It is my sincere hope and that of my other colleagues in government and all well-meaning Edo people, that this rhetoric will be put to an end forthwith, to enable this administration to finish strong, and deliver the dividends of democracy to the greatest number of Edo people, over these final twelve months.”

    Shaibu, on September 21, pleaded with Obaseki to forgive him, saying he was sorry, while declaring that he was really missing Edo governor.

    He also stated that he had not moved into his newly-allocated office at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, outside Government House, Benin, because the recently-renovated office was not yet policed, and it lacked a conference room, among other needs.

    Shaibu, a staunch Catholic, spoke at his personal residence in GRA, Benin, while receiving members of Catholic Men Organisation of Nigeria (CMON), Benin Archdiocese, led by the President, Austin Odigie, a lawyer, who visited to give him a letter for his investiture as the grand patron of CMON in the Archdiocese.

    Edo deputy governor had said: “We have resumed (in the newly-allocated office). There is no problem about it, but there are still lots of work to be done there. There is no conference room. So, we are working on a lot of things there. The governor (Obaseki) asked us to go there (new office), and we are going.

    “I am a loyal servant. Nothing has changed. I took a personal vow to support my governor. My Catholic people are here. Everything about me, if I have a vow with God, nothing can change it. I only wish that the relationship that we (Obaseki and Shaibu) had, in the next few days, it will come back. I am really missing my governor.

    “God will touch the governor’s heart and touch all of us, and even those that are trying to be in between, God will touch them to know that I mean well.

    “If there is any mistake that I have made as human, it is just human. Not out of wickedness, because I am not wicked. I have a very clean heart. I will use this medium to plead with Mr. Governor (Obaseki) that if there is anything that I do not know that I have done, please forgive me, so that we can develop our state together.

    “We have just a little over one year to go (second tenure to expire on November 12, 2024, while the governorship election will hold in September next year). We (Obaseki and Shaibu) have been the envy of the entire country. It is still possible. So, Mr. Governor (Obaseki), if there is anything you feel that I have done, I am sorry. I need us to work together, to finish well and strong, because that is my prayer for you.”

    Read Also: Obaseki asks deputy to drop governorship ambition

    Shaibu also stated that he would have received his guests at his new office, and not in his personal residence, but the one-storey building had not been policed, and he would not want to take unnecessary risks, at this crucial period, while assuring that he would continue to serve God, as taught him by his late father, who had a Muslim background, but later became a Catholic, and died as a pentecostal pastor.

    He noted that his holding unto God had always made him be victorious while describing himself as God’s miracle and that he and his siblings grew up in the Catholic Church, and still participated in Catholic programmes and activities.

    Edo deputy governor described himself as a very committed and strong-willed person who could not be bought with money, declaring that: “If I am with you, I am with you. Nothing troubles me. I sleep well,” and revealed that after politics, he would end up as a warden in Catholic Church, as his wife, Maryann, was currently doing.

  • Obaseki asks deputy to drop governorship ambition

    Obaseki asks deputy to drop governorship ambition

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has agreed to reconcile with his deputy Philip Shaibu, but on the condition that Shaibu drops his ambition to run for the September  2024  state governorship poll.

    The Nation gathered that Obaseki wants Shaibu to do so publicly or be excluded from all government activities, including the state Executive Council meetings if he failed to do so.  

    Shaibu’s ambition is at the centre of the feud between them.

    The governor is from Edo South Senatorial district and Shaibu is from Edo North.  

    Obaseki is supporting Asue Ighodalo., a  lawyer from Edo Central to ensure fairness, justice and equity.

    Ighodalo is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alaghodaro, an annual investment drive by the state government.

    Shaibu has, however, insisted that he would partake in the governorship election.

    Mid–September, the state government moved  Shaibu’s office to the Government Reservation Area(GRA) in Benin City and turned his  Government House Office into the secretariat of the annual Alaghodaro summit.

    Last Thursday, Shaibu apologised to his principal over their political differences.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Edo Deputy Gov Shaibu begs Obaseki for forgiveness

    The Nation learnt yesterday that Obaseki held the state’s weekly executive council meeting/ retreat in Lagos without Shaibu.

    The deputy governor was allegedly sent by Obaseki to  Abuja represent, apparently to get him away from the meeting/retreat.

    The two-day retreat for newly-appointed Edo commissioners and other top officials of the   government was  tagged: “Exco Retreat with Mr. Governor.”  

    An Obaseki ally, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the retreat was a yearly ritual for strategic events to brainstorm on the programmes of the government and set an agenda for the coming year.

     It was gathered that during the retreat, Obaseki told members of his kitchen cabinet that should Shaibu dare to participate in the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primaries, his security vote and participation in government activities halted.

    A source said: “Obaseki surreptitiously sent Shaibu to represent him in two Abuja events, while he (Edo governor) went to a Lagos resort, along with his commissioners and heads of Edo Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to hold the state’s weekly exco meeting, without any prior notice to Shaibu on either the change of exco meeting’s day or venue.”

    “Obaseki’s decision to send his deputy on a wild-goose chase to Abuja is connected to his (Edo governor’s) decision to ensure that his deputy could not justifiably argue that he was deliberately schemed out of the Lagos exco meeting when he was also on state assignments.

    “Shaibu was deliberately not informed of any decision to hold the exco meeting on Monday, instead of the usual Wednesday or that it would be taken to Lagos.

    “Notice of the meeting was kept top secret, and deliberately shielded from the deputy, to ensure that even if he managed to return to Benin City from his Abuja assignments before the end of the meeting, he would not be able to attend.

    “Edo governor does not want his deputy to be with him at the Lagos exco meeting and retreat until he is able to meet all conditions set for reconciliation, one of which is that he must publicly renounce his governorship ambition, for Obaseki to consolidate on his choice 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 react to the “sensitive” matters.

  • BREAKING: Edo Deputy Gov Shaibu begs Obaseki for forgiveness

    BREAKING: Edo Deputy Gov Shaibu begs Obaseki for forgiveness

    The embattled Edo state deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, has apologised to his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, over their political differences.

    Shaibu, who said this in an interview with journalists in his Benin City residence on Thursday, September 21, asked Governor Obaseki to forgive him for his shortcomings.

    He said: “So we have resumed there is no problem with it, the governor has asked us to go there.

    “Like I always tell people, I am a loyal servant, there is nothing that has changed, I took a personal vow to support the Governor, and you can see my Catholic people are here, everything about me if I have a vow with God, there is nothing that will change it.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Obaseki allocates Shaibu’s office in Govt House to Alaghodar

    “And I can only wish that the relationship that we had in the next few days and weeks, I know it will come back.

    “I’m missing my governor really and by the grace of God, I know God will touch the governor’s heart and touch all of us and even those that are trying to be in between God will touch them to know that I mean well.

    “If there is any mistake that I have made as human, is just human, is not an act of maybe wickedness, because I’m not wicked. I have a very clean heart.

    “I will use this medium to appeal to Mr. Governor, if there is anything that I don’t know that I have done, please forgive me, so that we can develop our state together.

    ”We have just less than how many months, just one year to go. We’ve been the envy of the entire country, it is still possible.

    “So Mr Governor, please if there is anything that you think I have done, I am sorry. I need us to work together to finish well and strong because that is my prayer for you.”

  • Obaseki allocates Shaibu’s office in Govt House to Alaghodar

    Obaseki allocates Shaibu’s office in Govt House to Alaghodar

    Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki has allocated the office of his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, in Government House, Benin to Alaghodaro as  secretariat. 

    This is contrary to Obaseki’s claim of renovating the one-storey building.

    Alaghodaro, a Benin catch phrase meaning progress or moving forward, is an annual investment drive by Edo State Government, which is Obaseki’s initiative.  

    In a leaked memo on Thursday dated September 18, 2023, Edo Governor asked the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, to “immediately” allocate the deputy governor’s office building to the trustees of Alaghodaro summit as their  Secretariat.  

    The chairman of Alaghodaro, through its secretary, had written to Obaseki for a permanent secretariat building to aid planning and logistics for the 2023 summit holding in the second week of November. 

    Read Also: Lockout: Obaseki, Shaibu exchange brickbats

    According to Edo Governor ‘s leaked memo, the office space closest to the venue of the summit, the New Festival Hall of Government House, which until few days ago, was occupied by Shaibu, should be allocated to the board of trustees of the Alaghodaro summit, expected to attract potential investors from different parts of Nigeria. 

     Shaibu was pushed out of Government House, and allocated new office at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin with a bold inscription “Office of the Deputy Governor, No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin City,” at a location not far from the Government House.

    Conspicuously at the entrance of the one-storey building is an unveiled inauguration plaque,with this inscription: “Edo State Public Procurement Agency – This building was commissioned by His Excellency, The Comrade Governor, Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, MNI, OON, Edo State Governor, on Tuesday, 16th December, 2014.”

    Shaibu’s aides and civil servants attached to his office moved two weeks ago in line with the directive of Edo Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa.

    On September 5, Shaibu withdrew his anti-impeachment suit with reference number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023 but remains determined to succeed Obaseki on November 12, 2024. 

  • Activists to Obaseki: don’t fight Shaibu, provide leadership

    Activists to Obaseki: don’t fight Shaibu, provide leadership

    • By Chinaka Okoro

    Edo Renewed Hope Agenda (HRHA)  has advised Governor Godwin Obaseki to stop fighting his deputy and provide good governance for the people.

     In a statement in Benin signed by Imade Osagie, the group noted the deputy governor left Adams Oshiomhole to support Obaseki in their political battles, and regretted that Obaseki had decided to humiliate his deputy in public.

     “We condemn the ejection of Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu from the Government House. It is not only outrageous but also smirks of vendetta, which sadly has become trademark of Obaseki.

    Read Also: Betsy Obaseki named most prolific First Lady of the year

     “We urge Obaseki to stop turning a deputy governor into a ‘spare tyre’ in front of his office. It’s quite despicable.

     “Why is Obaseki so mean to those who helped him to climb the political ladder? Both of them came in on a joint ticket; so it is unconstitutional for the governor to relocate the office of his deputy.

    “Shaibu should be accorded his right and the dignity deserving of his office. Edo State deserves better bargain than the shameless show being served our people,” it said.

    “It is shameful a governor, who has performed little, is busy fighting his deputy instead of being committed to providing good governancefor the electorate.”