The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has approached the court to seek protection from his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki to avoid an imminent impeachment and removal from office.
In a motion of notice brought before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and made available to the media on Thursday, the appellant seeks an order of interlocutory injunction stopping the respondents or their agents from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing or preventing the applicant from carrying out the functions of his office as Deputy Governor of Edo State including attending State Executive Council meetings and other functions pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The Court papers which listed the Inspector General of Police, State Security Service, the Governor of Edo State, Speaker Edo House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo State as defendants was obtained by Tribune Online.
Further investigations reveal that in the past two months, all have not been well in the state house, Benin City between His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.
Our Correspondent learnt that an alleged dehumanisation and humiliation of the deputy governor by his principal, Governor Obaseki, started when Comrade Shaibu was seen in a viral video with Senator Adams Oshiomhole during the inauguration of the National Assembly in Abuja.
Sources further alleged that a few days after the Abuja viral video, the governor summoned all Edo State House of Assembly who are PDP members to his residence, excluding his deputy, which was considered unusual. The deputy who was briefed about the meeting drove directly to the governor’s residence but was reportedly rebuffed and humiliated by the DSS personnel who told him he was not on their list of invitees.
According to our source, the DSS operatives might have been told not to allow the deputy governor into the meeting based on his alleged treason and association with Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Lawrence Oka.
Our correspondent was reliably informed that the meeting was held to allocate leadership positions in preparation for the next day’s inauguration which was described as a run-up to end Philip’s political career and ambition. However, all efforts to reach the deputy governor or his media aides were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, three weeks ago, our source at the government house informed us of the consistent late night meetings in the PDP leader’s residence in Benin City. In one such meeting, some of the Local Government chairmen across the state were said to have been selected and briefed on the developments by the governor to sensitize and prepare them for his pending actions.
Amidst the persisting cold war between the governor and his deputy, this reporter was informed the former deputy governor, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, and a former Chief Judge promptly interfered by summoning the duo to broker peace. Unconfirmed revelations were supposed to have been made by the governor, who stated that Philip was dining and wining with his adversaries, especially Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Lawrence Oka.
In addition, he accused his deputy of mentioning His Majesty, the Oba of Benin to the Italian Embassy without his permission. It was also said that the governor was determined to punish his deputy for visiting the relatives of a deceased renowned Chief of the Benin Kingdom without his permission.
Our reporter further learnt that though all the allegations were addressed, and both resolved to work in harmony to move the state forward, two days later, the source revealed that the governor directed the Revenue Generation Agencies and the Local Government Councils, which include HOLGAs, Bankers, Technical Partners, EIRS, and Edo-GIS domiciled in the deputy governor’s office to be moved to his office despite the successes recorded by Philip.
Following up with the narratives, our source at the government house claimed that the deputy governor, who is not a neophyte in the Nigeria political space, has decided to seek legal means to protect his job and any unforeseen eventuality while reconciliation continues with his acclaimed senior brother, Governor Obaseki.
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