- Obaseki Cannot Bar Me From Entering Edo State
- Governor Blames Shaibu For Attack On Okpebholo
- Shaibu Appoints New COS, 6 SSAs As Obaseki Looks For Stay Of Execution
By Babajide Okeowo Adewale Ilesanmi
Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo State is not going down without a fight as he has vowed to carry out his duty for the remaining period of the tenure of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
This is even as he accused his principal of masterminding the attempt to deny him entry into the state.
The Matrix reports that over the past few months, Shaibu and Obaseki have been at loggerheads over issues regarding the governorship election in the state.
READ ALSO: Shaibu 1, Obaseki 0 As Court Nullifies Edo PDP Primary Election
While Shaibu had shown interest in succeeding his principal, Obaseki had made it clear that Asue Ighodale will be his successor.
This has led to a breakdown in their relationship which culminated in his impeachment. However, on Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his reinstatement as deputy governor.
Reacting to the development, Shaibu stated that he would return to his position as deputy governor of Edo State today, following a reaffirmation of his role by an Abuja Federal High Court.
He however dropped a bombshell about plans by the Governor to stop him from entering the state.
“Yesterday, I got intel that the governor has told his men that they must not allow me into town. I am a free-born of Edo State, nobody can stop me from entering Edo State,” he said.
“The constitution does not allow anybody to bar me from entering Edo State, not even when I am a deputy governor. Even if I am an ordinary citizen, I should have a right. I should have freedom.”
The deputy governor also accused the governor of orchestrating Thursday’s attack in Benin City, alleging that Obaseki was keeping true to his earlier promise to destroy him.
“I didn’t know he (Obaseki) would arm them (gunmen) that much. I remember the governor saying during this crisis when I declared to contest for the governor that if I continued, he would destroy me.
“With what happened yesterday, it was obvious that it was an orchestrated attempt to actualise that statement that he was going to destroy me,” he said.
READ ALSO: EDO: Shaibu Appoints New Chief of Staff, 6 SSA’s
To show his seriousness in returning to his duty, Shaibu appointed eight new officials to assist him upon court judgement.
The appointments of the officials were disclosed in a statement released on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Comrade Musa Ebomhiana.
The appointees include:
1. Hon. Kingsley Ehigiamusor as Chief of Staff
2. Comrade Musa Ebomhiana as Chief Press Secretary
3. Hon. Emmanuel Akhaba as Senior Special Assistant
4. Mustapha Lawal as Senior Special Assistant
5. Mr. Charles Olubayo as Senior Special Assistant
6. Mathias Akhanemhe as Special Assistant
7. Comrade Robinson Akhenoba as Special Assistant
8. Robert Ojele as Special Assistant
9. Isioma Ogochukwu as Special Assistant
According to Ebomhiana, the appointments take immediate effect
Meanwhile the Edo State Government has blamed Shaibu for the attack that almost claimed Shaibu and Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate.
In a statement on Friday, Chris Nehikhare, commissioner for communication and orientation in Edo, accused Shaibu of being behind the incident.
Nehikhare said Shaibu disregarded the police advice, which could have prevented the attack.
“With the disappointment by this development, Shaibu disregarded the advice and warnings from the commissioner of police and exited the airport precincts into the waiting crowd of thugs who then moved with him into the city, shooting sporadically and unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens who were minding their lawful businesses,” the statement reads.
“This mindless shooting and breakdown of law and order resulted in the wanton destruction of property, the infliction of various degrees of injuries on passersby and security operatives, and the loss of the life of a policeman.”
