Obaseki: How I Found Out My Deputy Was Opposing Me

The governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, has described how he came to learn that Philip Shaibu, his deputy, was "working against him".

Obaseki claims that Shaibu is now so eager to succeed him before the 2024 election for governor of Edo.

He addressed before a conference of state stakeholders.

"He (Shaibu) went to Abuja and was boasting that he has connections there, that he has contacts in the national assembly, that they are all currently allied with the president, and that they will look after him," the governor claimed. said he knows what to do if he cannot secure the PDP ticket.

I said I believed we were together while remaining silent. But what struck me—and I've never mentioned this to anyone—was that we were about to elect officials after I had proclaimed the house of assembly.

"He had been in Abuja and had returned that day. I am the state's top security official. I obtain the data I require. I must, however, maintain my composure and make appropriate use of the material.

"My deputy called the leader of the APC and informed him that he has five loyal supporters and that he would like the seven members of the APC to collaborate with his five PDP members to produce the next speaker during the elections the following day.

"In my opinion, that was not in the best interests of everyone. Why, if not in accordance with the governor's wishes, would the deputy governor seek out another speakership candidate? Are we collaborating?

"I became aware of an issue at that point. that the deputy governor has grown so desperate to succeed his governor that he would do everything to accomplish so, including staging a coup. How can you claim to be loyal while planning to act in such a way?

Following his dispute with Obaseki, Shaibu has denied rumors that he would join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The deputy governor made this statement in reaction to rumors that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) would receive him in Abuja the following week.

Shaibu referred to the rumor as the work of troublemakers who are determined to destabilize Edo state in a statement released by his principal press secretary, Musa Ebomhiana.

Disruptors determined to destabilize our beloved Edo State are still at work. They will do whatever to deepen the gap between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Comrade Philip Shaibu, who serves as the governor's deputy.

They've concocted additional lies from the depths of hell, claiming that Shaibu is ready to re-join the APC the following week. This has not a shred of truth to it. The troublemakers assert that I would be met by the APC NWC in Abuja. Does a party's NWC welcome a decampee into the party?

Part of the statement said, "In light of this, I beg these characters determined to drive a wedge between Comrade Shaibu and his boss, to put the Edo project and the people far above their own selfish interest."