Edo: Why Shaibu Is Yet To Move To New Office – Aide
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has not yet relocated to a new office near the Government House in Benin, as instructed by Governor Godwin Obaseki.
This delay is attributed to the absence of an official communication regarding the directive. An aide of Shaibu shared this information confidentially with The Nation on Monday, September 18.
The aide said: “All these are wicked spins from Edo state governor’s media team. All that the Edo deputy governor is asking for is an official communication to move. The movement is not a verbal thing, because the office is a creation of the law.
“Governor Obaseki has insisted that he does not want Edo Deputy Governor around him anymore, but he should do the right thing. We are still expecting his (Obaseki’s) letter.”
On Monday, September 11, Shaibu, along with his aides and office staff, were instructed to vacate Government House, Benin, by the orders of Governor Obaseki. This move transpired despite Shaibu’s withdrawal from the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 5, regarding his anti-impeachment suit (with reference number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023).
Shaibu’s new office is situated at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin. It is marked by a green and white signboard bearing the Coat of Arms. This signboard boldly reads: “Office of the Deputy Governor, No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin City.” The location is in close proximity to the Government House.
Additionally, at the entrance of the single-story building, there stands an unveiled inauguration plaque. It bears the 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.”
The ongoing standoff between Obaseki and Shaibu, leading up to the gubernatorial election slated for September next year, might culminate in the potential removal or impeachment of the Deputy Governor. This action could potentially be orchestrated by the 24 members of the state’s House of Assembly, with the aim of preventing him from succeeding his superior on November 12, 2024.
