Bewildered congregants could not believe their eyes as the rift between Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, assumed a frightening dimension on a Thanksgiving Day to show gratitude to almighty God for preserving the state.
The shameful display of raw power quite exposed the complete breakdown of relationship between the governor and his deputy.
Theliberationnews gathered that when all entreaties by Shaibu to the security detail to allow him access to his boss failed without the governor calling his security man to order, Shaibu respectfully took a bow from afar before looking for where to sit since no seating slot was provided for him in the front row seats where the governor sat.
Shaibu’s 2024 governorship ambition has created a wedge between him and Obaseki, his boss. Since his return from his annual vacation in the United States, Theliberationnews sources revealed that he has not been able to access the governor.
While addressing journalists after the ceremony, Shaibu reaffirmed his unalloyed loyalty to his boss whom he described as his elder brother.
Shaibu further reiterated that Whatever disagreement he may have with his boss was strictly a family affair not to be discussed in the media. He also emphasized that his ambition does not affect his loyalty to Obaseki.
According to him, ”Issues that concern my governor are not what I discuss on camera. He (Obaseki) is my elder brother and boss. If I have any issues with him, I think it is better settled at home not in the media. Family problem are better resolved in a family way.
“I am well brought up and from my Christian background, when you take a vow (with God), you must fulfil it. And the vow I have taken with God is that I will continue to support Godwin Obaseki as the Governor of Edo State from the beginning to the end.
“But that doesn’t stop any other thing that has to do with ambition. Ambition is personal. Ambition does not affect loyalty. My loyalty to the governor remains absolute. I am also in solidarity with the governor and declaring my unalloyed loyalty to the Governor and nothing more.”
Recently, Shaibu, sensing that his boss might come after him, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to restrain Governor Godwin Obaseki, Edo State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Edo State and others from impeaching him.
In reaction to Shaibu’s fears, Obaseki had accused his deputy of being so desperate to succeed him, saying the deputy governor may contemplate coup against him.
Attempts by Theliberationnews to get the views of the governor’s chief press secretary failed since calls put across to his phone did not go through at the time of releasing the story.
