Edo Deputy Governor, Seeks Court Protection As Rift With Gov Obaseki Becomes Messier

By Simeon OSAJIE

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has approached the court, seeking protection from his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki to avoid an imminent impeachment and removal from office.

In a motion on notice brought before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and made available to 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.

It was gathered that in the past two months, all has not been well between Governor Obaseki and the Deputy Governor, Shaibu.

Sources revealed trouble started after Shaibu was seen in a viral video with Senator Adams Oshiomhole during the inauguration of the National Assembly in Abuja.

A source further alleged that a few days after the Abuja viral video, the Governor summoned all Edo State House of Assembly PDP members to his mansion, excluding his deputy, which was extremely unusual.

The deputy, who was briefed about the meeting, drove directly to the Governor’s mansion, but was rebuffed and told him he was not on their list of invitees.

The court paper listed the Inspector General of Police, Department of State Services, the Governor of Edo State, Speaker, Edo House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo State as defendants.