Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu has levelled serious accusations against Governor Godwin Obaseki, accusing him of disregarding the law following a contentious court ruling. The conflict between the two officials, rooted in disagreements over the governorship election, has intensified, with Shaibu asserting his role despite challenges from the state government.
Shaibu’s Claims of Political Marginalisation
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Philip Shaibu revealed the backstory of his initial support for Governor Godwin Obaseki. Shaibu explained that it took former governor Adams Oshiomhole three months to convince him to back Obaseki’s bid for the governorship, as Obaseki was neither a politician nor financially capable of running an election campaign.
“Oshiomhole brought him [Obaseki], and when Oshiomhole brought him, some of us argued that it couldn’t be him,” Shaibu stated. He further claimed that he and his allies provided the financial and political support necessary to secure Obaseki’s victory, emphasising, “When you are talking about deputy governors and governors, he is not the one that made me, I made him.”
Power Struggle and Governorship Ambitions
The rift between Shaibu and Obaseki has escalated, particularly around the upcoming 2024 governorship election in Edo State. Shaibu asserted that Obaseki has attempted to undermine his political ambitions by withholding financial resources, noting that he has not received any government-issued cheques for the past year.
Following a Federal High Court ruling reinstating him as the deputy governor, Shaibu resumed his duties and instructed his staff to do the same. However, the Edo State government responded by accusing Shaibu of impersonating the deputy governor, a claim Shaibu strongly refuted.
Legal Battle and Accusations of Lawlessness
Reacting to the impersonation accusations, Shaibu accused Governor Obaseki of being “lawless,” pointing to the governor’s refusal to comply with the court ruling that restored Shaibu to office. Shaibu said, “The holder of the office of the governor in Edo State today is lawless… there is a valid court judgment that he has been served.”
The court ruling in question, delivered by Justice Omotoso on July 17, declared Shaibu’s impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly as unconstitutional, null, and void. The judge also ordered that Shaibu’s salaries and allowances be paid from April, when he was originally impeached. Additionally, the court issued an order restraining Governor Obaseki and the House of Assembly from preventing Shaibu from performing his duties.
Despite the court ruling, the Edo State House of Assembly has appealed the judgment and filed a motion for a stay of execution pending the appeal. This legal battle continues to fuel tensions between Shaibu and Obaseki, casting a shadow over the state’s political landscape.
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