As part of the grand design to curb and whittle down his political and administrative influence, Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki has relocated the office of his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu out of the Government House, Benin City.
The new office of the deputy governor is now situated at No 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue in GRA, Benin City, the State capital with a noticeable signpost mounted at the front of the building bearing; “Office of the Deputy Governor, Edo State”.
Speaking on the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the embattled Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, Mr. Musa Ebomhiana, said he was yet to get an official correspondent to that effect, adding that he still sees it as a story in the realm of rumour.
Ebomhiana said; I have not been informed officially and I don’t believe in rumour but substance. This is weekend and we are here in Edo North for the election (Local Government Council election). And we plan to resume on Monday when the picture would be clearer.
“As I speak to you now, we are in an election in Edo North and I don’t want to comment on something I don’t know. It is on social media and I have also read about it,” he said.
It was gathered that the court case instituted by Comrade Philip Shaibu against Governor Obaseki, the Speaker of the State House of the Assembly, Chief Judge of the State and others over perceived impeachment processes against him, formed why the governor and his team have made up their mind that Shaibu cannot be trusted and or work closely with any longer.
Pointedly put, the Edo State commissioner for Information, Hon. Chris Nehikhare was quoted as having said Governor Obaseki will be uncomfortable to dine with Shaibu on account of his alleged several misdeeds.
And as part of political emasculation process against Shaibu, his media crew was penultimate week disbanded by Governor Obaseki for breach of protocol just as the Permanent Secretary in the State Sports Commission, Mrs. Sabina Chikere, who is an in-law and point person of the deputy governor was deployed to the Government House with no schedule of duties for now.
Similarly, deputy governor Philip Shaibu, who few months ago wielded so much powers, was recently at a church function in Benin, prevented from getting close to Governor Obaseki by a security aide attached to the governor.
It was gathered that before the present crisis, the Deputy Governor usually arrive at most events only after his principal was already seated and was also fond of speaking after the governor must have spoken which were tolerated then even as such acts constituted serious breach of protocols.
