Obaseki: “I Will Not Forgive Deputy Shaibu’s Sins Until He Denounces Governorship Ambition”; Vows To Deal With Him

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, just back from vacation abroad, has insisted that he has no business with his estranged deputy, Philip Shuaibu, until he proves absolute loyalty to him.

The Governor also gave only a condition to accept the public apology tendered by Shaibu, which is denouncing his Governorship ambition.

The Governor equally threatened to further withdraw other entitlements from the Deputy governor if he fails to show sign of remorse.

Obaseki, before arrival from abroad, had sent messages to all members of state Executive Council to assemble in Lagos for a two-day meeting with him. He exempted the Deputy.

He insisted that the Deputy Governor should not be invited or informed of the meeting. The meeting was termed “Exco retreat with Mr. Governor”.

Before the meeting, Obaseki reportedly told members of his kitchen cabinet in Lagos that for him to forgive his Deputy, the latter must publicly withdraw from the Governorship race.

Obaseki added that if the Deputy dares to participate in the forthcoming primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), his security vote will be stopped and he will be excluded from all Government activities, including meetings of the Edo State Executive Council.

As a prelude to making good his threat, the State Executive Council meeting for this week took place in Lagos on, Monday without Shaibu.

Last week the Deputy Governor was locked out from his office in Government House, Benin City, on the orders of the Governor.

It was this particular incident that made the Deputy Governor to publicly apologize to the Governor, who in the last one month has refused to communicate with him.