According to the Cable, Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent Edo governor, has asserted that his deputy, Philip Shaibu, orchestrated a scheme to dislodge him from his position.
In a video posted by AIT on Friday, Obaseki addressed stakeholders, revealing that Shaibu’s eagerness to succeed him before the 2024 Edo gubernatorial election had led him astray.
“Shaibu even traveled to Abuja, boasting about his connections there. He claimed ties with the national assembly and implied presidential support, suggesting they’d safeguard his interests,” Obaseki explained.
“He even intimated that if the PDP denied him their ticket, he had other plans. “All of this directly contradicts our shared interests. “Why would the deputy governor work against my wishes to find a different speaker candidate? Is our collaboration in jeopardy?
“It was at that moment that I realized the extent of our problem. My deputy had grown so obsessed with seizing power that he was ready to resort to drastic measures, even a political coup, against his governor.
“How can someone claim loyalty and simultaneously consider such actions?” “I chose to stay quiet, thinking we were still united. However, what caught my attention—something I’ve never shared before—was this: right after I inaugurated the assembly, it was time to elect officials.
“He was in Abuja that day. As the state’s chief security officer, I have access to information. But I have to handle it discreetly and appropriately.
“My deputy contacted a key figure in the APC, telling them that during the upcoming elections, specifically for the speaker of the house of assembly, he had five loyal members, and he hoped to join forces with seven APC members to secure the speaker position.
Obaseki disclosed that he repeatedly cautioned Shaibu about his gubernatorial ambitions, stressing the necessity of concentrating on ongoing tasks before next year’s transition.
On July 28, Shaibu filed a suit in a federal high court in Abuja to thwart an alleged impeachment scheme against him. He sought a court order restraining the governor, the assembly speaker, and the chief judge from “initiating impeachment proceedings or imposing any impeachment” on him.
He accused the governor of obstructing his constitutional duties. In response, Obaseki contended that his legal action was a pre-emptive measure, anticipating his defection to the APC.
The Edo governor denied any impeachment plans against his deputy while alleging that Shaibu actively engaged with APC members at both the national and state levels to secure entry into the ruling party.
On August 4, the court restrained Obaseki, the speaker, and other involved parties from commencing impeachment actions against Shaibu. On Thursday, the court reiterated that parties involved in Shaibu’s lawsuit should maintain the current state of affairs until the next hearing.
Temmyabbe (
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