There is conflict in the Edo State Government House in Benin City because of reports that Philip Shaibu intends to take up his deputy governor duties again.
According to a source, Benin City’s Government House, located on Dennis Osadabey Avenue, has increased security.
It was learned that the goal of the increased security is to prevent Shaibu from taking office again.
The state government has prohibited cars, including those belonging to Government House employees, from entering Osadebe Avenue as part of security precautions.
It saw that tourists and government employees parked their cars by the side of the road and walked a considerable distance to get to their offices during a visit to the area on Monday.
At the entrance gate, men from the state-owned Police Constabulary and Nigeria Police established a roadblock.
Remembers that Shaibu was restored to his position as the deputy governor of Edo State on July 17 by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which was chaired by Justice J. K. Omotosho.
Additionally, the Edo State Government and the House of Assembly filed an application seeking a stay of the reinstatement order’s execution, which was denied by the court last week.
On March 18, 2024, the State House of Assembly impeached Shaibu as the state’s deputy governor. Governor Godwin Obaseki then named and swore in Engineer Godwins Marvellous Omobayo as the new deputy governor.
Some anonymous civil servants told reporters on Monday that they were surprised by the increased security at Government House.
“We were surprised to see heavy security in and around the Government House on resumption at the office.
“Election has ended and we expected to see a very more peaceful state,” they said.
Even though a stay of execution appeal has been filed to challenge Justice J. K. Omotosho’s order, the Edo State Government claimed in a statement on Sunday that Shaibu had perfected plans to storm the Government House on Monday, September 30, to impose his putative reinstatement.
In a statement, Mr. Crusoe Osagie—the Special Adviser on Media Projects to the Edo State Government—urged all well-meaning Nigerians, including the Inspector General of Police, to persuade Shaibu to back off from his purported conspiracy.
Given that Shaibu’s last attempt at such an event resulted in the death of a policeman, Osagie believed that the idea was a surefire prescription for mayhem.
“We want to draw the attention of the Inspector General of Police to the intelligence we have gathered regarding a planned move by Shaibu to forcefully enter the Edo State Government House to purportedly enforce the ruling of Justice J. K. Omotosho.
“The stay of execution is still pending at the court of appeal and we appeal to the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the state does not descend to anarchy because of the ambition of one man.
“The last time Shaibu attempted to do this, it led to the death of a police officer. We believe that is one death too many and it is only wise for us to prevent a repeat of such,” he stated.
In response to the statement, Shaibu refuted the accusation, claiming Obaseki had not yet come to terms with the fact that he and his supporters had been abandoned by the Edo people.
Shaibu responded through Mr. Ebomhiana Musa, his media assistant, stating that, in contrast to Obaseki, he (Shaibu) is a man of peace who sincerely believes in the rule of law and would never want to kill innocent people for whatever cause.
“We want to put it clearly here that, unlike Governor Godwin Obaseki, Philip Shaibu is a peace-loving, who firmly believes in the rule of law and would not want to shed innocent blood for whatever reason.
“In the eyes of the law and in the eyes of the good people of Edo State and Nigerians, Philip Shaibu is the de jure and de facto Deputy Governor of Edo State.”
He urged people to disregard the claim, labeling it as false information disseminated by Obaseki’s spokesman.
