By Emmanuel Adeleke
The ongoing feud between Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, assumed another dimension on Monday, as the latter was prevented from entering his office at the Government House in Benin, the state capital.
It was gathered that Shaibu arrived at the Government House on Monday morning but met the gate leading to his office under lock and key.No
Speaking on the development, the deputy governor said he is yet to receive official communication that he should relocate his office.
“Up till now, I don’t have any official communication that I should relocate. The only people that have official communication are my civil servants. The civil servants have official communication but I don’t. As I am speaking to you now, I am standing by the gate,” a frustrated Shaibu stated while on a phone call to a yet-to-be-identified person.
Shaibu is expected to move to a new office situated at No 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin City.
Recall that Obaseki had relocated Shaibu’s office from the Government House after they fell out over the 2024 governorship election.
Last week, a letter said to be from the Office of the Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, was reported to have been sent to the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor directing Shuaibu to relocate to the new office.
The development is the latest in the ongoing tussle between Obaseki and his deputy.
Obaseki had accused his deputy of plotting a coup against him, adding that Shaibu has become too desperate for power and exploring all ways to succeed him.
He noted that Shaibu is yet to inform him of his ambition, but he is aware of all his plots.
Despite all the allegations by Obaseki, Shaibu has continued to pledge allegiance to the governor publicly.
