Concerns over Philip Shaibu’s “Invasion”: Osadebey House Cordoned off by Security Operatives

 

“We want to draw the attention of the Inspector General of Police to the intelligence we have gathered regarding a planned move by Shaibu to forcefully enter the Edo State Government House to purportedly enforce the ruling of Justice J. K. Omotosho”

PEGASUS REPORTERS, LAGOS | SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

The power seat of Edo State Government, Osadebey House, is now under heavy guard by armed security operatives to forestall the alleged plan by the reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu alleged invasion and resumption of duty in his office on Monday.

Our Benin source reported that while vehicles driven by security operatives have unfettered access to the Osadebey Avenue, others including civil servants working in the premises were not permitted into the premises.

It will be recalled that the State Government had on Sunday in a statement by Crusoe Osagie, alerted that Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of the state had perfected plans to invade the Government House on Monday. “To enforce his purported reinstatement despite the fact that a stay of execution appeal has been filed challenging Justice J. K. Omotosho ruling.”

Explaining that Shaibu’s action was capable of throwing the state into chaos Osagie said: “We want to draw the attention of the Inspector General of Police to the intelligence we have gathered regarding a planned move by Shaibu to forcefully enter the Edo State Government House to purportedly enforce the ruling of Justice J. K. Omotosho.

“The stay of execution is still pending at the court of appeal, and we appeal to the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the state does not descend to anarchy because of the ambition of one man. The last time Shaibu attempted to do this, it led to the death of a police officer. We believe that is one death too many and it is only wise for us to prevent a repeat of such,” he said.

Shaibu responding said “We want to put it clearly here that, unlike Governor Godwin Obaseki, Philip Shaibu is a peace-loving man, who firmly believes in the rule of law and would not want to shed innocent blood for whatever reason. “As it is today, in eyes of the law and in the eyes of the good people of Edo State and Nigerians, Philip Shaibu is the de jure and de facto Deputy Governor of Edo State. We need not fight or struggle for that which God has given us.”

Meanwhile, the state is currently enmeshed in a side-talks that the governor, Godwin Obaseki has fled the country to avoid arrest which top APC members are said to have leveled against the out-going Edo strongman.

Investigation by Pegasus Reporters found that Governor Obaseki left Benin city by road to Lagos in the late hours of Thursday the 27th of September. Some say he illegally handed-over the reins of power to his close ally and ex-Commissioner for Finance Joseph Eboigbe, who doubles as the Secretary to the Edo State Government and Chairman, Transition Committee.

The source further said that at 8.56 pm, Obaseki and his wife, Betsy boarded a Turkish airline transit flight Tk626 at the international wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport via Istanbul to Venice, Italy.

They arrived Instabul on Saturday the 28th of September 2024 at 5.40 am. Upon arrival in Istanbul after boarding the connecting Turkish Airline flight Tk1867 from Istanbul to Venice the flight took-off exactly 7.02 am and arrived at their final destination 8.29 am.

Obaseki and his wife will remain in Venice to attend the 60th Biennale Foundation International Cultural Exhibition, which will end in the third week of November 2024.

He had written the State Legislature for approval of his terminal leave but choose to proceed before it was approved, like he was being pursued.

Recall that on July 11, 2024, Obaseki inaugurated a 20-man transition committee Chaired by Mr. Eboigbe. In 2017 Obaseki was appointed the Commissioner of the Nigerian pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale Exhibition by the Buhari administration. It was in that capacity he attended the Venice Biennale Exhibition in April 2024.

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Read Our Preceding Post: Edo 2024: Between INEC’s declaration and Yiaga Africa’s rejection – By Ehichioya Ezomon