Gov Obaseki denies impeachment plot against Shaibu

The succession crisis that has hit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State escalated yesterday.

Supporters of Governor Godwin Obaseki and his estranged deputy, Philip Shaibu, disagreed over the motive of the court case instituted by the deputy governor at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Obaseki, who said there was no plan to impeach Shaibu, said the suit was a preemptive move by him ahead of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Abuja court has restrained the governor, the House of Assembly and security agencies from impeaching or removing the deputy governor from office, pending the determination of the case.

The feud assumed a new dimension yesterday as PDP members from Shaibu’s Edo North Senatorial District disowned him and supported the governor.

The PDP members also distanced themselves from Shaibu’s governorship ambition, warning him against fueling the crisis in the state.

Obaseki, who addressed reporters, in Benin City, the state capital, during a visit by the Edo North leaders, alleged that the deputy governor has been hobnobbing with APC leaders at the state and national levels.

He said the deputy governor was at the final stage of negotiation with APC leaders, insisting that he will soon defect from the PDP.

Obaseki said: “Let me put it on record that I am not aware of any plot or any scheme to impeach the deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu. 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.”

He added: “It’s clear what has happened in the last few weeks. It is a preemptive 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.”

Obaseki said was was not aware of Shaibu’s governorship ambition, adding that he has never had the courtesy to discuss the aspiration with him.

He stressed: “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 preemptive 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.”

“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 the House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Adjoto, 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 Shaibu. 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 to speak out over the development. The deputy governor decided not to work closely with Mr. Governor because of personal ambition to become governor.”

According to Edo North PDP leaders, Shaibu was responsible for the rift between Obaseki and his predecessor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

They also blamed the deputy governor for the feud between Obaseki and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, on one hand, and the crisis between the governor and another PDP stalwart, Chief Dan Obi, on the other hand.

They supported the governorship zoning formula proposed by the governor, saying that his successor should come from Edo South.

Former Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area, Yesufu Busari, said Etsako people were against the steps taken by the deputy governor.

Afemai flays Shaibu for uncooperative attitude

Afemai people, in a statement,  chided Shaibu for not cooperating with his boss on succession.

They said: “We have watched in utter disbelief, the self-contrived rift between our governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and our son, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. (Comrade) Philip Shaibu. Afemai people are a very hard working, patriotic and loyal race.

“Two distinguished sons, His Excellency, Reverend Peter Obadan, and His Excellency, Mike Oghiadomhe, have in the past been deputy governors in our dear state (Edo). They cooperated with their bosses, and demonstrated the loyalty Afemai race is known for.

“We are surprised and embarrassed by the behaviour of the current Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. (Comrade) Philip Shaibu, in his ill-advised mission to govern the state by all means.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the framers of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, were very clear in Section 193 (1) that the duty of the deputy governor, inter alia, is that  ‘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.’

“Our dear governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has been most magnanimous more than any governor in Nigeria, and has saddled our son, the deputy governor, with the highest number of responsibilities, ranging from sports, Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR), boundary committee, and immunisation, to mention but a few, which have earned him the name: ‘The Busiest Deputy Governor in Nigeria.”

“Our respected leader, Senator (Comrade) Adams Oshiomhole, in 2016, handed over the government of Edo State to Mr. Godwin Obaseki. Senator Oshiomhole hails from Uzairue Clan in Etsako West LGA, just as the present Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu. Edo North Senatorial District stands on a tripod of Etsako, Owan and Akoko-Edo. Assuming, while not conceding, that it is the turn of Edo North to produce the next governor of Edo State again, will it go to the same clan?”

PDP leaders in Edo North senatorial district also declared that it was unheard of in the history of Nigeria, where a sitting deputy governor would initiate a court action against his governor, without any justification, as in the instant case of Shaibu, while he also went ahead to engage social media miscreants to disparage Obaseki.

They said: “The FHC, Abuja action by Shaibu is not only speculative, but baseless and highly embarrassing. We are coming out today (yesterday) to disassociate the Afemai (Edo North) people from the ill-conceived court action, and to apologise to Governor Obaseki for the unfortunate incident.

“We are firm believers in federal character. More so, when another of our illustrious sons, Prof. Abubakar Momoh, from the same Etsako extraction, has just been nominated as a minister.”

“Edo North people stand for equity, fairness and justice. We are grateful to other senatorial districts, particularly the majority tribe (Benin) of Edo South senatorial district, for allowing us to produce the governor of Edo State (Oshiomhole), from 2008 to 2016. We shall not abuse the privilege.”

“The people of Edo North Senatorial District are solidly behind His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and urge him not to be distracted by the current rat race of succession, which to us is premature, individualistic and diversionary.”

Impeachment plot thickens

A source said despite the injunction obtained by Shaibu from the Abuja Court,  impeachable offences are beibg being compiled against him.

According to the source, 24 members of the House of Assembly, led by Mr. Blessing Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, are ploting the Impeachment.

It was also learnt that Adjoto may be appointed deputy governor, following Shuaibu ‘s Impeachment.

Shuaibu is said to have travelled to New Jersey, United States of America (USA), to attend the annual Afemai World Congress (AWC).

His Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Ebomhiana Musa, declined to react to the allegations levelled against his boss.

He said: “I am on medical leave. So, I do not really know what is happening in the political terrain in Edo. I cannot respond to what I am not aware of. Pease, I am on leave on health grounds. Thanks for your concern.”

In the last House of Assembly elections, PDP had 15 seats, APC won eight seats while the Labour Party (LP) had one seat.

Obaseki was said to have asked a Lagos lawyer, Asue Ighodalo, from Edo Central, to join the governorship race. But, he declined.

A source said Obasekj may back the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, a lawyer, who hails Edo South at a time Edo Central/Esanland is agitating for power shift in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice.

Edo South, with the highest voting strength, has seven councils (Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Ovia Northeast, Ovia Southwest, Orhionmwon, and Uhunmwonde); Edo North has six councils (Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Akoko-Edo, Owan West, and Owan East); while Edo Central has five(Esan West, Esan Central, Esan Northeast, Esan Southeast, and Igueben).

The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, and the only minister-designate, Abubakar Momoh, are from Edo North. That is why the people of Edo Central are pushing for zoning.