In a surprising turn of events, the once strong bond between Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, has deteriorated, leading to a bitter rift between the two political allies. The conflict centers around Shaibu’s ambition to succeed Obaseki as the governor of Edo State, as well as other alleged “sins” committed by the deputy governor.
The relationship between Obaseki and Shaibu was once seen as unbreakable. They fought together against former governor Adams Oshiomhole, accusing him of playing the role of a godfather in Edo State politics. However, recent events have shown that personal interests can strain even the strongest of friendships in politics.
The first signs of trouble emerged when Shaibu was accused of abandoning the swearing-in of commissioners to attend the inauguration of the National Assembly, where he met and fraternized with Oshiomhole, who was at odds with Obaseki and Shaibu. This move reportedly angered the governor and strained their relationship further.
Another point of contention is Shaibu’s public declaration of his intention to succeed Obaseki as the governor of Edo State. This announcement reportedly did not sit well with Obaseki, who had his own plans for the governorship seat, favoring Asue Ighodalo, the former chairman of Sterling Bank. The clash of ambitions further deepened the rift between the two.
In an attempt to protect himself from possible impeachment moves, Shaibu approached a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain any impeachment process against him. Obaseki, on the other hand, denied any plans to impeach his deputy, accusing Shaibu of planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The fallout between Obaseki and Shaibu has had tangible consequences. The governor has taken steps to assert his authority by placing revenue collection under his direct supervision, including that of the local governments, which was previously under the deputy governor’s office. Additionally, the Ministry of Sports, which was under Shaibu’s office, was taken away, and his ally, Sabina Chikere, was retired unceremoniously.
The tension between the two escalated when Shaibu’s office was relocated outside the Government House, effectively excluding him from executive meetings and decision-making processes in the state. This move was followed by a security aide preventing Shaibu from meeting Obaseki at an important church service.
The once strong bond between Governor Obaseki and Deputy Governor Shaibu has been shattered by their conflicting ambitions and alleged betrayals. The rift between the two has had significant consequences, affecting the governance of Edo State. As the 2024 governorship election approaches, it remains to be seen how this conflict will impact the political landscape of the state.