According to the Nation paper, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, are caught in a heated public disagreement, with Shaibu claiming that he has been humiliated by the governor for expressing his desire to run for the next governorship election under the banner of their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Seeking help, Shaibu took the matter to the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ruled that the status quo must be maintained until the defendants provide a reason why they should not be restrained.
The defendants in question include the State Security Service, the Inspector General of Police, the Edo State Governor, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, and the Chief Judge of Edo State. The court has set a date of August 10 to hear the case.
Shaibu alleges that ever since he made his intention to contest for the PDP governorship ticket known, Obaseki has been preventing him from carrying out his official duties and has even threatened to withdraw his security detail.
He seeks court orders that would prevent Obaseki, the Speaker, the Chief Judge, and their associates from impeaching him or forming a panel to investigate his removal. Additionally, he wants orders to prevent the IGP, SSS, and Governor from withdrawing his security detail.
He revealed that the friction between him and Obaseki began when he declared his intention to seek the governorship position. The governor has allegedly excluded him from important state affairs, leading to multiple instances where Shaibu was left out of meetings and official functions.
Shaibu’s lawyer argues that Obaseki’s actions, aimed at harassing, intimidating, and impeding him from fulfilling his duties, go against the Constitution. Shaibu fears that the governor intends to initiate impeachment proceedings to remove him from office.
The court’s intervention provides temporary relief for the deputy governor; however, tension between the two officials in Edo State remains high.
Temmyabbe (
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