Obaseki disputes impeachment plot, says Shaibu planning APC defection

Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State, said on Monday that there was no plan to remove Philip Shaibu as his deputy.

However, the governor pointed out that Shaibu’s move to ask a court to block his alleged impeachment was preventative in light of his alleged intention to defect to the All Progressives Congress.

The governor claimed that the deputy governor had been actively negotiating his way into the APC with senior actors at the national and state levels while the Edo North leaders were visiting Benin City. He added that he was close to finalising plans to defect to the APC.

Let me state for the record that I am not aware of any plot or scheme to remove the Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, from office, Obaseki said. I looked as well and found that there was no such plan.

So, I’m shocked and disappointed by the court action that was taken. I’m attempting to evaluate the decision made by the deputy governor to whom I granted considerable discretion in carrying out his duties. Therefore, it is shocking that he would act in this manner.

Obaseki claimed that Shaibu never brought up his desire to become governor.

“When we last discussed my successor following the House of Assembly election, I did advise patience and state that our goal should be to successfully complete all projects that we have started. We won’t have the support of the people for my successor until we handle this properly.

“I think this is a preemptive action on his part to get a court order, keep his ticket, and go to another party. It’s unfair to our party, in my opinion. Such a crisis is not necessary. I’ve been receiving calls from all over the world, and it’s kind of sad that a member of an administration would harm the administration for his own personal gain.

Obaseki stated, “Naturally, I should be disappointed,” but he wasn’t angry.

In the meantime, there was no mention of the alleged impeachment attempt against Shaibu at the state Assembly on Monday.

The legislature postponed the meeting until the following Monday, August 14.

But an Edo North group, led by former House of Assembly Speaker Kabiru Adjoto, spoke to journalists on Monday and accused Shaibu of humiliating the locals.

Adjoto claimed that the group was unable to remain silent about the state’s recent political events without expressing their shock at the situation.

The self-inflicted rift between our governor, Godwin Obaseki, and our son, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State, has been something we have watched in complete disbelief’, he said. The Afemai race is a very diligent, patriotic, and devoted one.

“We recall that our two illustrious sons, Reverend Peter Obadan and Mike Oghiadomhe, who served as deputy governors, cooperated with their superiors and exhibited the loyalty that the Afemai race is renowned for.

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“We are shocked and embarrassed by the actions of Deputy Governor Shaibu in his foolish attempt to rule the state in any way possible.

“Mr Godwin Obaseki has shown more generosity than any other governor in Nigeria by burdening our son, the Deputy Governor, with the most duties, including those related to sports, internal revenue, the boundary committee, and immunisation, to name a few. This has led to the nickname “the busiest Deputy Governor in Nigeria” for him.

“The legal action is not only speculative, but also unfounded, embarrassing, and highly offensive. We are coming out today to apologise to the state governor for this unfortunate incident and to distance the Afemai people from this poorly thought-out action.

Musa Ebomhiana, the deputy governor’s chief press secretary, declined to comment when he was contacted for comment because he was out on medical leave.