Follow Us on Google
…Reveals cause of misunderstanding between him and governor
From Idu Jude Abuja
Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has accused mischief-makers and political jobbers of making efforts to destabilise the state by widening the gulf between him and his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The deputy governor, who stated this in a statement issued by one of his aides at the weekend in Benin City, said that his reaction followed the shocking statement by Governor Obaseki, which accused him of desperation and plotting a coup to oust him from office.
Shaibu said that the allegations were the handiwork of political jobbers who must have sold the dummy to the governor whom he referred to as his ‘elder brother.’
According to him, it is preposterous to contemplate a coup against a man who had given him too much latitude as deputy governor.
While denouncing the allegations, Shaibu stated categorically that the claims were not only baseless, but also malicious attempts by political jobbers hell-bent on misleading the governor with the singular aim of damaging his reputation and “sowing seeds of discord between me and my brother governor.”
He reiterated his unwavering loyalty to Governor Obaseki while holding the principles of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party, he said, two of them belong to.
He said that it was a privilege to serve as the governor’s deputy consistently for the last seven years, adding that that has demonstrated his commitment to the advancement of a shared vision for Edo State.He, therefore, said that any insinuation that he harbours ulterior motives or seeks to undermine the governor’s leadership is nothing short of a fabrication.
He maintained that he believes in the power of teamwork and collaboration.
As a testament to this, he noted that himself and Governor Obaseki had worked tirelessly together to deliver on the promises they made to the good people of Edo State, pointing out that their achievements in the various sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation, are further testament to the collective efforts and synergy between their offices.
Shaibu said that as deputy governor his role is to support and complement the governor’s agenda, and not to undermine it.
“I have consistently advocated for policies and initiatives that align with this administration’s goals and aspirations. It is disheartening to see such baseless allegations being propagated, as they only serve to distract the administration from its primary objective of serving the people of Edo State,” he said, promising to remain an unrepentant democrat who believes in the democratic process and respects the mandate given to Governor Obaseki and his humble self by the people of Edo State.
He said that the idea that he would consider a coup to overthrow a democratically elected government was not only absurd, but also deeply offensive.
The deputy governor urged the media and the public to approach the allegations with the skepticism they deserve, adding that all should focus on the issues that truly matter to the people of Edo State – improving their lives, providing quality education, ensuring accessible healthcare, and creating employment opportunities.
Governor Obaseki had on Friday claimed that Shaibu was exploring every avenue to achieve his governorship ambition, including plotting a coup to oust him from office.
The governor made these allegations at a meeting with elders and leaders from Etsako West, East and Central local government areas held in Jattu, Etsako West council as part of campaigns for the September 2, 2023, local council election.
He said: “My deputy governor has become so desperate to take over and is ready to do anything, including carrying out a coup d’état to ensure he kicks me out and becomes the governor of Edo State.”
But investigations revealed that the deputy governor did not refuse to join the governor in the selection of commissioners in Etsako LGAs as alleged, but was on that day sent by Obaseki himself to Edo North to resolve some political crises.
It was gathered that he was on his way when the Chief of Staff to the governor called him that Obaseki needed his attention in Benin.
Shaibu was said to have informed the CoS to inform the governor that he was already close to Afuze axis to address the issue he directed him to handle and the governor was said to have acknowledged the same call.
The source also said that it was political jobbers who generated more lies that the deputy governor had perfected plans to rejoin the All-Progressives Congress, APC, next week, adding that “there is no iota of truth in this.”
