Edo: Obaseki/Shaibu rift deepens, Deputy gets new office outside Government House
By Emma Ogbuehi
The crisis between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shuaib took a more uncertain dimension on Saturday as the Deputy Governor is allocated a new office outside the government house .
A building located at No 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, close to the Government House which is the Edo State Procurement Agency office has been renovated and signed post reading Office of the Deputy.
The building was commissioned by the former Governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole on December 16, 2014.
The latest twist came as the governor, recently dismantled the media team attached to Shaibu, for allegedly attempting to disrupt a state event.
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The directive announcing the withdrawal of the aides was communicated via a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists by the state Commissioner for Information, Chris Osa Nehikhare.
According to the State Government, Shaibu is henceforth required to request media coverage of his activities from the Ministry of Communication and Orientation.
The statement read: “This directive followed the unfortunate incident that happened during the colloquium held to mark the 60th anniversary of Midwest Referendum, where some journalists, who claimed to be the media crew of the Deputy Governor, attempted to force their way into the hall where the Governor and other dignitaries were already seated.
“This act was against the accreditation protocol that had been established for the event coverage.
“The orchestrated and stage-managed walkout and disruption is highly regrettable,”
Prior to this development, Shaibu had on Sunday, August 27, declared his unalloyed loyalty to Governor Obaseki, saying he sees him as his elder brother.
He, however, insisted he would be pursuing his ambition to become the number one citizen of his state despite the rift between them.
The Deputy Governor made the statement when he spoke at the 32nd anniversary of Edo State, held at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, Edo State
He said: “My loyalty to the governor remains absolute. I see that everybody is in solidarity. I am also in solidarity with the governor. I am also declaring my unalloyed loyalty to the governor and nothing more.”
Shaibu went on to add: “But that does not stop anything that has to do with ambition. Ambition is personal and it does not affect loyalty. My loyalty to the governor remains absolute.”
The Chief Press Secretary to Shuaibu, Musa Ebhomiana, however, reportedly said the issue of relocating to any office is rumour because the deputy governor has not been communicated to that effect.