•Shaibu and Obaseki
The reinstated deputy governor of Edo state, Comrade Philip Shaibu, conducted an inspection of the five-star Radisson Hotel under construction in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin, yesterday.
This inspection was part of his agenda despite objections from Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, reports The Nation.
Shaibu’s visit to the high-profile hotel followed a tense standoff where security personnel prevented him from entering the government House in GRA, locking the gates for several hours.
Motorists had to abandon their vehicles and walk to the expansive complex.
In response to the situation, Obaseki’s special adviser on media projects, Crusoe Osagie, issued a statement cautioning the reinstated deputy governor against any actions that could violate existing laws.
Osagie emphasised the importance of maintaining the governance process and urged Shaibu to comply with legal protocols at all times.
He said: “Shaibu, just like any private citizen, can take a tour around the exceptional projects of Governor Godwin Obaseki. We warn, however, that both Shaibu and the security agencies should not carry out actions that violate the laws and the constitution.
“Shaibu should be patient and wait for the Appeal Court to hear his matter. He needs to learn to subject himself to the authority of the law.”
Obaseki’s media aide also enjoined the good people of Edo to go about their lawful businesses, while urging them to rest assured that the state government would always ensure the protection of lives and property, in line with extant laws in Edo.
Numerous security operatives, including policemen, Department of State Services (DSS) officials, and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others, were on standby from 8 a.m. yesterday at the main gate of Government House, Benin, with many Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) also deployed, to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
Edo deputy governor’s chief press secretary, Ebomhiana Musa, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the effect that Edo State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu is making plans to invade the Government House on Monday, September 30, 2024, in a bid to enforce two different court judgements, ordering his reinstatement.
“We want to put it clearly here that, unlike Governor Godwin Obaseki, Philip Shaibu is a peace-loving man, who firmly believes in the rule of law and would not want to shed innocent blood, for whatever reason.
“As it is today, in the eyes of the law and the eyes of the good people of Edo State, indeed, Nigerians, Philip Shaibu is the de jure and de facto Deputy Governor of Edo State. We need not fight or struggle for that which God has given us.
“Obaseki and his co-travellers should accept the fact that the good people of Edo State have spoken, and his godson, Asue Ighodalo, has been roundly rejected at the governorship election of September 21, 2024. Sadly, this reality is yet to dawn on them.
“Crusoe Osagie, the purveyor of the fake news, is well known as an alarmist and propagandist who thrives on rumours and beer parlour gossip, with little or no respect for the ethics of our cherished profession, Journalism. So, he has to be ignored.”
Osagie, yesterday, accused Shaibu, of planning to invade with thugs on September 30, 2024 (yesterday), the Government House in Benin.
Obaseki’s media aide alleged that the planned invasion by Shaibu, a former member of the House of Representatives, who is an ex-Majority Leader of Edo House of Assembly, and a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), when he was an undergraduate of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) in Plateau State, was to enforce his reinstatement, despite the fact that a stay of execution appeal had been filed, challenging Justice James Omotosho’s judgment.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, and all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on Shaibu to refrain from his “devious” plot, which he described as a clear recipe for chaos.
Edo governor’s special adviser on media projects said: “We want to draw the attention of the IGP to the intelligence we have gathered regarding a planned move by the erstwhile Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip 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 IGP 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 (Inspector Onuh Akoh of No. 45, Police Mobile Force, Abuja). We believe that is one death too many, and it is only wise for us to prevent a repeat of such.
“Edo State government’s lawyers have written to the IGP and other stakeholders, highlighting the fact that all actions relating to the Enforcement and/or execution of the judgment of Honourable Justice J.K. Omotosho in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 be stayed, pending the hearing and determination of the motion for stay of execution/injunction pending appeal, so as not to foist a situation of helplessness on the Court of Appeal and render the order nugatory in the case that the application is granted.”
Osagie also stated that the appeal case raised special circumstances and substantial arguable grounds, in respect of which the court ought to grant the application, to ensure that the plaintiff/respondent (Shaibu) would do nothing to cause a breach of the peace or breakdown of law and order in Benin and other parts of the state.
It will be recalled that Akoh was murdered through gunshots on July 18, 2024, at the exit gate of Benin Airport, and he was attached to the then governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the representative of Edo Central Senatorial District, now Governor-elect, who arrived from Abuja, in company with Shaibu, who got favourable judgment the previous day, at the FHC, Abuja.
