Obaseki Sacks Shaibu’s Media Team As Fight Gets Dirty
- Communication and Orientation Ministry to approve all media coverage henceforth
BY VICTOR BOURO – The Rofo-Rofo fight between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy Philip Shaibu got messier on Monday with the Edo State Government formally disbanding the media crew attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor.
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, who announced the latest development in a statement issued on Monday, directed the Deputy Governor to henceforth request the Ministry of Communication and Orientation for media coverage of activities for his office.
The statement by Nehikhare said; “Edo State Government has disbanded the media crew attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor, with a directive to the Deputy Governor to henceforth request the Ministry of Communication and Orientation for media coverage of activities of his office.
“This directive followed the ugly and unfortunate incident that happened during the colloquium held to mark the 60th anniversary of the Midwest Referendum celebration held at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Soundstage, where some journalists, who claimed to be the media crew of the Deputy Governor attempted to force their way into the hall where the governor and other invited dignitaries were already seated.”
“This act was contrary to the accredited protocol that had been established for the media coverage of the event. The orchestrated and stage-managed walkout and disruption is highly regrettable,” the Commissioner further said in the statement.
Earlier on Monday, reports had emerged that Shaibu walked out of an event organised by the State government after his aides were forced out of the hall and the incident occurred less than 24 hours after an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) denied the Deputy Governor access to his principal, Governor Obaseki during the Sunday church service to mark the 32nd anniversary of the Edo State creation.
This is the succession battle for Osadebe House has pitched the Deputy Governor against the state’s number one citizen who has thrown his weight behind having a candidate from Esanland in Edo Central senatorial district take over from him.
The current political sentiments in the South-South state are against the ambition of Comrade Shaibu who hails from Edo North Senatorial District, the same as former Governor Adams Oshiomhole who governed the state for eight years before the coming on board of Obaseki, an indigene of Benin in Edo South senatorial district.
