The
Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has turned to the Court
seeking protection from possible impeachment and removal from office by his
boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In
a motion of notice presented before the Federal High Court in Abuja and
disclosed to the media on Thursday, Comrade Shaibu requested an interlocutory
injunction to prevent the Respondents or their representatives from harassing,
intimidating, embarrassing, or obstructing him in carrying out his duties as
the Deputy Governor of Edo State. This includes attending State Executive
Council (SEC) meetings and other official functions until the substantive suit
is resolved.
The
Court documents identify the Inspector General of Police, State Security
Service, the Governor of Edo State, Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, and the
Chief Judge of Edo State as Defendants in this case.
Recent
investigations have revealed a growing tension between Governor Obaseki and his
Deputy, Shaibu, over the past two months. The trouble began when Comrade Shaibu
was seen in a viral video with Senator Adams Oshiomhole during the inauguration
of the 9th National Assembly in Abuja.
Sources
have alleged that shortly after the video’s circulation, the governor summoned
all members of the State House of Assembly who belong to the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) to his residence, leaving out his own deputy, which was
highly unusual.
Upon
being informed about the meeting, the Deputy Governor went directly to the
governor’s mansion but was denied entry and stopped by personnel from the
Department of State Services (DSS), who informed him that he was not on their
list of invitees.
