Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, stated that there was no plan to impeach his deputy, Philip Shuaibu.
Obaseki alleged that the suit by Shuaibu seeking a court order to stop his purported impeachment was an anticipatory move ahead of his planned defection to the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
The assertions came as leaders of Edo North Senatorial District, Shuaibu’s senatorial zone, distanced themselves from his governorship ambition, and warned the deputy governor against fuelling the crisis in the state.
Briefing journalists in Benin City during a visit by Edo North leaders, Obaseki said the deputy governor had been actively engaging with senior actors, both at the national and state levels of APC, and negotiating his way into the party. He added that Shuaibu was about to finalise his move to APC.
The governor stated, “Let me put it on record that I am not aware of any plot or any scheme to impeach the deputy governor, Philip Shuaibu. I have also checked and there was no such plan.
“So, the court action taken, for me, is a thing of shock and disappointment. I am trying to reflect on the move made by somebody that I have given a broad latitude to do his work as deputy governor. So, for him to take this kind of action is shocking.”
Obaseki explained further, “It’s clear what has happened in the last few weeks. It is a pre-emptive move for him to conclude what he has started. Those of you from Akoko-Edo can recall that when we were discussing the issue of your local government chairman and that of Owan, there was a lot of resistance from you on the candidates he wanted to impose on you.
“I listened to your entreaties and thought that what you were recommending was fair. How can he be recommending the son of an APC leader in that local government? You resisted and I saw reason and acceded to your request.
“The next day, I saw on social media that he was in Abuja robbing minds with the opposition party. I have heard for months now that he has been in closed consultation with friends from another party because he was not sure that you, the leaders of PDP, will give him the ticket as governor in 2024.”
The governor added, “I must state here that Philip Shuaibu has never had the courtesy to discuss his ambition with me. The last time we spoke of my successor after the House of Assembly election, I did say that we should be patient and that our task is to try and finish well and conclude all our projects we started. It’s only when we do this right that we will have the support of the people for my successor.
“I believe that this action by him is a pre-emptive move to get a court order, keep his ticket and move to another party. I think it’s unfair for our party.
“We don’t need this sort of crisis. I have been getting calls all over the world and it’s rather sad that somebody who is part of an administration will do this to the administration because of his personal ambition.”
Obaseki also stated, “I am not angry, but naturally I should be disappointed. I understand what is going on. I thank you for your solidarity. We should not be distracted but consolidate and unite our party and bring all on board.
“As we start our local government campaigns tomorrow, I urge you to join me so that we can build a PDP that will continue to dominate the politics of Edo State, as we must finish well so our people will continue to give us the mandate.
“Edo will continue to be great, as our collective efforts will drive our future, as no one man can be bigger than all of us.”
Leader of the group and former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Alhaji Kabiru Ajoto, said, “We are here to amplify the voice of the majority of the people from the six local government areas in Edo North as we have all taken our position to stand with the governor of Edo State in the ongoing crisis, which is really uncalled for.
“What is happening now is really unfortunate, as the people of Edo North have met severally over a week thinking of what to do over the face-off between Governor Obaseki and Shuaibu. We sent a powerful delegation to the deputy governor to make peace with his boss, but were surprised that he turned it down. We reached out to him but he turned the offer for peace down.
“Taking the governor to court is most unfortunate and we can’t keep quiet but speak out over the development. The deputy governor decided not to work closely with Mr. Governor because of personal ambition to become governor of Edo State.”
Obaseki and Shuaibu, both members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have been on the war path over successorship and the latter’s court action to prevent the alleged move to impeachment.
The deputy governor had last Thursday, in a suit before an Abuja Federal High Court marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023, asked the court to stop Obaseki from impeaching him.
Mentioned in the restraining order, also, were the Inspector General of Police; State Security Service; Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly; and Chief Judge of Edo State as first, second, third, fourth, and fifth defendants, respectively.
Shuaibu had also sought an interlocutory injunction restraining the third, fourth, and fifth defendants/respondents or their agents from commencing an impeachment process against him. He prayed the court further to restrain the governor of the state or other persons acting on his order from harassing and preventing him from effectively discharging his duties as the deputy governor of the state.
The reliefs read in part, “An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the third defendant/respondent whether by himself or his agents or persons acting for and on his behalf from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing and preventing the plaintiff/applicant from carrying out the functions of his office as Deputy Governor of Edo State, including attending the State Executive Council meetings/functions and other duties about his office pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
Speaking to newsmen at a press conference in Benin City, earlier, Adjoto, who was in the company of former Deputy Chief of Staff, office of the deputy speaker, Jomoh Ijegbai; and former Chairman, Etsako West Local Government Area, Yusuf Busari.
They all distanced themselves from the deputy governor, and said they were not in support of Shuaibu’s court action over an issue that was never contemplated, thereby embarrassing the entire zone.
The three leaders said they were speaking on behalf of the three federal constituencies that make up the senatorial district namely, Akoko-Edo, Owan, and Etsako.
The PDP leaders condemned Shuaibu’s rebuff of their peace effort. They maintained that the position of deputy governor was part of the governor’s office and could only function based on the powers delegated to it by the governor.
They stated, “But Shuaibu wants to outshine his master, which is unfortunate, because we, the people of Afemai (Edo North senatorial district), are not with him following the outstanding performance of Obaseki for our people.
“The Agbede-Anwai road, the Sabongida-Ora – Sabo road and other legacy projects, as well as appointment of our sons and daughters are some of the things Obaseki has done, and so he need not be distracted.
“Shuaibu as deputy governor is a household name compared to his peers from other states because his boss gave him that privilege. So we’re here to tell him enough is enough to this political shenanigan.
“After here, we will go to the governor to tell him we are with him. That whoever he wants as his successor, we are behind him.”
The leaders also alleged that the deputy governor was the mastermind of the quarrel between Obaseki and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole; and he was also the one who created the problem between the governor and the Dan Orbih group in the state PDP.
They argued that even if the governorship ticket was to be zoned to Edo North, “Definitely, it can’t go to the same Etsako bloc, which has produced the immediate past governor, two deputy governors and, presently, minister.”
They wondered what had happened to other political blocs in the zone as well as the Central district, which had not tasted power since 1999, except the 18 months stint of Professor Osarhiemen Osunbor.
The PDP leaders added, “When a man goes to court to say, ‘I was deprived of my functions’; you begin to ask, ‘what are the functions?’
“It beats our imagination that after nearly seven years, he chose not to know his boundary. We have decided that the embarrassment caused by our son, that we are not party to it.
“Edo stands on a tripod, which must be balanced. For us, it is a distraction because INEC had not put out any time-table for Edo election. Shuaibu’s action is baseless, speculative. The governor should remain focused and not allow himself to be distracted by the action of the deputy governor.
“We are surprised and embarrassed by the behaviour of the current deputy governor, Philip Shuaibu in his ill-advised mission to govern the state by all means and we have said we are not part of this.”
Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
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