…Court action a preemptive move ahead of his defection to APC
…Edo North leaders dissociate selves from Shaibu’s governorship ambition
… Edo Assembly Douses Apprehension
By Mike Osarogiagbon & Eben Enasco
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has denied the alleged plan to oust his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, saying: “I am not aware of any plot or any scheme to impeach the Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu. I have also checked and there was no such plan.”
Obaseki made the rebuttal and clarification while briefing journalists in Benin City during a visit by the Edo North leaders, amid claim by the deputy governor in a court filing that there was an orchestrated plan by Governor Obaseki to impeach him.
The governor, however, noted that the move by Shaibu seeking a court order to stop his purported impeachment is preemptive ahead of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is as leaders of Edo North Senatorial District, the senatorial zone of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, distanced themselves from his governorship ambition, warning the deputy governor against fueling the crisis in the State.
The governor said the deputy governor has been actively engaging with senior actors both at the national and state level of the APC, negotiating his way into their party, adding that he is at the verge of finalizing moves to defect to the APC.
He said, “Let me put it on record that I am not aware of any plot or any scheme to impeach the Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu. I have also checked and there was no such plan.
“So, the Court action taken, for me, is a thing of shock and disappointment. I am trying to reflect on the move made by somebody that I have given a broad latitude to do his work as deputy governor. So, for him to take this kind of action is shocking.”
He noted, “It’s clear what has happened in the last few weeks. It is a preemptive move for him to conclude what he has started. Those of you from Akoko-Edo can recall that when we were discussing the issue of your local government chairman and that of Owan, there was a lot of resistance from you on the candidates he wanted to impose on you.
“I listened to your entreaties and thought that what you were recommending was fair. How can he be recommending the son of an APC leader in that local government? You resisted and I saw reason and acceded to your request.
“The next day, I saw on social media that he was in Abuja robbing minds with the opposition party. I have heard for months now that he has been in closed consultation with friends from another party because he was not sure that you, the leaders of PDP, will give him the ticket as governor in 2024.”
The governor noted, “I must State here that Philip Shaibu has never had the courtesy to discuss his ambition with me. The last time we spoke of my successor after the House of Assembly election, I did say that we should be patient and that our task is to try and finish well and conclude all our projects we started. It’s only when we do this right that we will have the support of the people for my successor.
“I believe that this action by him is a preemptive move to get a court order, keep his ticket and move to another party. I think it’s unfair for our party. We don’t need this sort of crisis. I have been getting calls all over the world and it’s rather sad that somebody who is part of an administration will do this to the administration because of his personal ambition.”
He further stated, “I am not angry but naturally I should be disappointed. I understand what is going on. I thank you for your solidarity. We should not be distracted but consolidate and unite our party and bring all on board.
“As we start our local government campaigns tomorrow, I urge you to join me so that we can build a PDP that will continue to dominate the politics of Edo State as we must finish well so our people will continue to give us the mandate. Edo will continue to be great as our collective efforts will drive our future as no one man can be bigger than all of us.”
Meanwhile, the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo North Senatorial district have dissociated themselves from the ongoing faceoff between Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, saying that they are solidly behind the governor.
The party bigwigs led by the former Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto made their position known today during a press conference at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Benin City.
Speaking, the former Speaker expressed dismay over the faceoff which he described as embarrassing and ill-advised desperate mission to govern the state.
“It is unheard of in the history of Nigeria where a sitting Deputy Governor will initiate a Court action against his Governor without any justification as in the instant case. And also go ahead to engage social media miscreants to disparage his Governor.
“Edo North stands on a tripod of Etsako, Owan and Akoko-Edo, we have watched in utter disbelief the self contrived rift between our Governor Godwin Obaseki and our son the Deputy Governor of Edo State Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu.
“We are coming out today to dissociate the Afemai people from this ill conceived action, and to also apologise to the Governor of the State for this unfortunate incident”, Rt. Hon. Adjoto stated.
Rt. Hon. Adjoto however appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki not to be distracted by the incident as the people of Edo North Senatorial district are behind him.
“The people of Edo North are solidly behind His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and urge him not to be distracted by the current rat race of succession, which to us is premature, individualistic and diversionary.
“Once again we urge our Governor to remain focused and finish well and strong”, the group stated.
Also speaking, the former Chief of Staff to the deputy governor, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai and Hon. Yusuf Busari corroborated Rt. Hon. Adjoto Kabiru.
Edo Assembly Douses Apprehension
Against the backdrop of the looming alleged impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, Edo State lawmakers doused public apprehension on Monday, at the Plenary when they adjourned sitting until August 14, 2023.
The news of his impeachment was well circulated across media space, after his alleged brawl with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Recall that Shaibu recently asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stop the commencement of an impeachment process against him and was granted last Friday.
In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023, the Inspector General of Police; State Security Service; the Governor of Edo State; the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, and the Chief Judge of Edo State are the first, second, third, fourth and fifth defendants respectively.
Shaibu sought an interlocutory injunction restraining the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Defendants/Respondents or their agents from commencing an impeachment process against him.
But at the Plenary on Monday, the Speaker, RT Hon Agbebaku Blessing Sheriff, against the spreading speculations rose at the hallowed Chambers without a mention of the alleged impeachment.
The speaker said the house was stepping down all other interests to allow it to pay attention to the House Committee inauguration.
Emotions ran high in the past days across the state, and among Edo people around the world, with different observers believing that at Monday’s Plenary, the State Legislature will stage a move to oust the embattled Deputy Governor, who had been at loggerhead with his boss, Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
However, in a motion moved by the member representing Igueben Constituency, OJ Inegbebor, and seconded by Donald Okogbe representing Akoko Edo Constituency two, the Assembly adjourned sitting to the disappointment of most interest groups who were at the gallery to witness it.
Governor Obaseki’s recent rebuttal and clarification may have put paid to all allegations of impeachment of his number two man, leaving Edo people to heave a sigh of relief.
