Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has leveled allegations against his deputy, Philip Shaibu, asserting that Shaibu is involved in a plot to overthrow him from his position. The ongoing conflict between the governor and his deputy has intensified, with Shaibu recently claiming that Obaseki is scheming to have him impeached.
In an address to party members, Obaseki shed light on the rift between him and his deputy, portraying Shaibu as relentlessly ambitious in seeking to take over his role. “The deputy governor’s ambition to assume power has reached such a fervent level that he is willing to resort to any means, even if it entails orchestrating a coup against his own governor. How can one claim loyalty while contemplating such actions?” the governor asserted.
Elaborating on the alleged “coup” orchestrated by Shaibu, Obaseki disclosed that his deputy had struck a clandestine agreement with a leader within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. This agreement aimed to undermine their own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during the election for leadership positions in the state’s House of Assembly.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the state, I have access to critical information. However, I am bound by the responsibility to handle such information discreetly and appropriately. My deputy reached out to an APC leader, divulging his intention to collaborate with his five loyal members from the PDP alongside seven members from the APC. Together, they planned to influence the selection of the Speaker for the State House of Assembly,” Obaseki alleged.
The governor accused Shaibu of pursuing a personal agenda that did not align with the collective interests of their party. Obaseki expressed bewilderment at his deputy’s choice to back a different candidate than the one he himself had endorsed.
The move by Shaibu to champion his own candidate for Speaker of the State House of Assembly prompted Obaseki to realize the depth of the conflict between them.