The Edo State Government has warned the Deputy Governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shiabu not to act in breach of the extant laws in Nigeria by inspecting the site of the Radisson Hotel in Government Reserved Area (GRA), and other projects in Benin.
In a statement, Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, warned Shaibu not to disrupt the process of governance and subject himself to the law at all times.
He added, “Shaibu, just like any private citizen, can take a tour around the exceptional projects of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
“We warn, however, that both Philip Shaibu and the security agencies should not carry out actions that violate the laws and the constitution.
“Shaibu should be patient and wait for the Appeal Court to hear his matter; he needs to learn to subject himself to authority of the law.”
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The government enjoined the good people of Edo State to go about their lawful business, rest assured that the state government will always ensure the protection of lives and property in line with extant laws in the State.
However, Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Monday defied statements from the state government as he inspected some on-going projects, executed by the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s led administration in the state.
The projects are the multi-billion Naira 5-Star Radisson Blu hotel, the ongoing Museum Of West African Arts (MOWAA), reconstruction of the Road in Okada Avenue and parts of Central Road, all in Benin City.
Speaking to journalists at the MOWAA site, Shaibu said though work was 80 percent completed according to the contractor but that he has his reservations about the siting of the project in the particular location.
At Radisson, he said the scope of work is okay and that he wanted to be sure that all the major works under the outgoing government was going on fine.
He said, “Work is about 80 percent completed.
“It is fine but I have my reservation, this is supposed to be a Central Hospital for the people and not to build a museum here.”
Regarding his status as Deputy Governor, which the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki has disputed, he stated, “We should not respond to people in exile who release press releases because we are here.
“Anybody who wants to release a press release should come here and not be in exile and start releasing press statements. We should ignore them.
“I have since resumed because the issue of reinstatement should be a thing of the past.
“I don’t think we should be talking about it. Judgment has been made.
“We should move forward. The issue is if I can work with Obaseki, can I work with him? I can work with him but he cannot work with me”
Shaibu added, “The office of the Deputy Governor is not an office under Obaseki. It is an office created by the Constitution.
“Until you understand the difference between the office of the Governor and Office of the Deputy Governor and the Constitutionality of the office.
“I am deputy governor and my role is clearly defined.
“I will be going round in the next two weeks starting with Edo South, after then Central and then North to check what we have done.
“A new sheriff is in town and we must handover to him. That’s where we are. I am doing my work as deputy governor of Edo State.
“My own duty as deputy governor is to discharge my duties as deputy governor. I have come to inspect what is going on here at the museum.
“Administratively, there are issues that have to be sorted out.
“There are administrative issues at Radisson Blu which have to be sorted out. It is work and work.
“In the next six weeks, we have to put things in proper perspective so that the next sheriff in town will know where we are.
“I am doing my work as deputy governor. I am on ground and not in exile.”
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