Edo Deputy Governor Denied Access To Govt House
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, was denied access to his old office at the Government House in Benin, the state capital, on Monday morning.
Shaibu arrived at the Government House to find the gate leading to his office under lock and key.
During a phone call with an unknown individual, he stated that he had not received any formal communication from the governor’s office about the relocation of 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,” said Shaibu.
Last week, reports said there was a letter sent to Shaibu from the office of the Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, directing him to move his office to a new location at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin City.
However, sources close to the deputy governor revealed that this new office was in a state of disrepair and required rehabilitation.
This development is the latest escalation in the power struggle between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The governor accused his deputy of plotting a coup against him and there have also been speculations about impeaching Shaibu, but the Edo Assembly has denied such.
During a recent event commemorating the state’s 32nd anniversary, Shaibu denied these allegations and publicly expressed his loyalty to Governor Obaseki.
