Edo North  PDP Distance Self From Shaibu’s Action Against Obaseki

…apologizes to Governor Obaseki over the unfortunate incident

By Simeon OSAJIE

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Edo North Senatorial District has dissociated themselves from what they called ‘ill-conceived action of the deputy governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu against his boss, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State,’ and apologized to him for the unfortunate incident.

Addressing journalists, on behalf of the Afemai people at the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benin City, the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, , said Governor Obaseki has been most magnanimous more than any governor in Nigeria, and has saddled Comrade Philip Shaibu, his deputy with the highest number of responsibilities ranging from sport, internal revenue, boundary committee, immunization to mention but a few which has earned him the name: “The Most Busy Deputy Governor in Nigeria.”

Adjoto stated, “the Afemai people have watched in utter disbelief the self-contrived rift between the Governor Godwin Obaseki and their son, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu. Afemai people are a very hard working, patriotic and loyal race.”

He recalled when two distinguished sons of Edo North, Reverend Peter Obadan and Mike Oghiadomhe have in the past served as deputy governors in Edo State, noted that they cooperated with their bosses and demonstrated the loyalty Afemai race are known for.

Going further, the former speaker said the Afemai people are surprised and embarrassed by the behavior of Comrade Philip Shaibu in his ill-advised mission to govern the state by all means.

“For the avoidance of doubt, in the 1999 Constitution as amended were very clear in Section 193(1) that the duties of the Deputy Governor inter alia is ‘the Governor of a state may in his discretion assign to the Deputy Governor or any Commissioner of the State responsibility for any business of the Government of the State, including the administration of any department of Government.’”

He pointed out that Senator Oshiomhole in 2016 handed over the government of Edo State to Mr. Godwin Obaseki, that assuming while not conceding that it is the turn of Edo North to produce the next governor again, will it go to the same clan?

“It is unheard of in the history of Nigeria where a sitting Deputy Governor will initiate a Court action against his Governor without any justification as in the instant case. And also go ahead to engage social media miscreants to disparage his Governor.

“The Court action is not only speculative but baseless and highly embarrassing,” he said.

Continued: “We are coming out today to disassociate the Afemai people from this ill-conceived action, and to also apologize to the Governor of the State for this unfortunate incident.

“We are firm believers in the Federal Character more so when another of our illustrious son from the same Etsako extraction has just been nominated as a Minister.

“Edo North people stand for equity, fairness and Justice and we are grateful to other Senatorial Districts particularly, the majority tribe, Edo South for allowing us to produce the Governor from 2008 to 2016. We shall not abuse that privilege.”

While emphasizing that the people of Edo North are solidly behind Governor Obaseki, Hon. Adjoto urged him not to be distracted by the current rat race of succession, and should remain focused and finished well and strong.