By David Kabiyesi
Executive Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has accused his deputy, Philip Shaibu of planning to unseat him as the number one citizen of the state at all costs.
Fielding question from a reporter meeting with elders and leaders from Etsako West, East and Central Local Councils of the state in Jattu, Etsako West Local Council, ahead of the September elections, Obaseki maintained that the problem started when he vehemently rejected Shaibu’s candidate for the post of Speaker in the state.
“My deputy governor has become so desperate to take over and he is ready to do anything including carrying out a coup to ensure he kicks me out to become the Governor of Edo State.”
Obaseki, who expressed shock and disappointment over the recent actions of his deputy, added: “What struck me was his action after the proclamation of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) and election of its officers. He went to Abuja and came back that day. I am the Chief Security Officer of the state, I get any information I need, but keep quiet and use the information quietly.
“My deputy called a leader in the All Progressives Congress (APC) telling him that during the election of the speaker of the assembly the next day, he had five loyal members and that he would like the seven members of the APC in the house to work with him to produce the speaker.”
I called the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to my house to familiarise myself with them following this information.
“Shaibu tried to barge in. I said you can’t come into my house. It’s my private house, not even the Government House. You have to have courtesy, but now it is my prerogative to allow you in or out.
“After hearing what he did, I didn’t allow him to come in. The next day, we went to the House and he came and we elected our speaker. What he did is not working in the interest of the party. How can he have a different candidate aside from what the governor wants?” he queries.
