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Tag: Philip Shaibu

  • Edo election: How PDP candidate will emerge – Obaseki

    Edo election: How PDP candidate will emerge – Obaseki

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has the sole right to determine its candidate for the Sept. 21, 2024 Edo governorship election.

    Obaseki stated this when he visited Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State incompany of former Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom to congratulate him on his victory at the Appeal Court on Thursday in Bauchi.

    He described his relationship with his deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu as cordial.

    “He wants to run for the office and he is free to do so and you know as a Nigerian, he has the constitutional right to run and nobody can or should stop him.

    “The party will decide and also the members of the party will decide who will be the flag bearer of our party in the forthcoming general elections in Edo.

    “I’m only one out of the millions party members in Edo and I don’t think my vote would determine whether he becomes the flag bearer or not,” he said.

    Obaseki said the visit to Bauchi was to also discuss some pertinent issues relating to the PDP Governors Forum said other matters affecting Nigeria.

    The governor acknowledged that things were difficult and Nigerians were suffering, added that it was time for Nigerian leaders to stop lamenting, confront the problems and find solutions to them.

  • Edo 2024: My governorship pursuit divinely orchestrated – Philip Shaibu

    Edo 2024: My governorship pursuit divinely orchestrated – Philip Shaibu

    Edo state deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has revealed that God directed him to pursue the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

    According to Shaibu,   he had conferred with God and got an unequivocal directive to contest the gubernatorial poll.

    He made this revelation on Tuesday while featuring on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.

    “What I mean is no one can stop us, we are Edo people, from our ancestral backgrounds we are confident, we fight for our rights.

    “So when I said nobody can stop me, yes, no human being because I believe in God and God is the only one that has the power that can say something cannot happen.

    “Humans cannot say things cannot happen because if God gives us power, he gives us power for certain purposes.

    “The same God that gives power is the God that I have gone to and has asked me to go ahead. I don’t do things by my strength so since I am sure that God is with me, no man can stop me,” he said.

    Recall that the deputy governor on Monday formally announced he would contest the Edo State gubernatorial election in 2024 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Shaibu has been involved in a running battle with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, over his gubernatorial ambition.

  • Edo Guber Poll: Deputy governor, Philip Shaibu declares intention to run

    Edo Guber Poll: Deputy governor, Philip Shaibu declares intention to run

    Philip Shaibu, the Edo State Deputy Governor has declared his interest in running for the Edo gubernatorial election.

    Shaibu who only recently settled few months of  dispute with his principal made his plans of becoming the next governor known, following his indication of interest to contest under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)

    After showing interest in the Edo state number 1 job, Shaibu posited that Edo state needs a practical leader like himself.

    He said that Obaseki, who has governed the State for close to 8 years now, was an experimental governor.

    Addressing reporters in Benin City, Philip said, “With the 2024 Edo governorship election fast approaching, the state cannot afford to experiment again with someone who does not understand the politics of the state or the needs of the people.

    “Edo people need practical governance and you cannot experiment again with somebody that does not understand the politics of a good state and the needs of the people.

    “So, everything we have to do should be assessed. You cannot know the needs of the people when you don’t live with them. So for me, competence and experience should be the watchwords as we go into the election in 2024.

    “Who is competent? Who is more experienced? Who will hit the ground running from day one?

    “Are we going to experiment with a new person again? And the person will spend the first four years learning on the job and he will spend another four years trying to embezzle, set up his businesses in the name of consolidating on the gains of the first term.

    “Or do we need a governor that from day one will hit the ground running?”

  • 2024 election: What Edo people should watch out for – Shaibu

    2024 election: What Edo people should watch out for – Shaibu

    Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has said people of the State should watch for and elect someone with competence and experience in the 2024 governorship election to hold in the State.

    Shaibu while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Sunday said what the State needs is practical and not experimental governance.

    With the 2024 Edo Governorship Election fast approaching, he said the State could not afford to experiment again with someone who does not understand the politics of the State or the needs of the people.

    “Edo people need practical governance and you cannot experiment again with somebody that do not understand the politics of a good state and the needs of the people,” Shaibu said,

    According to the Deputy Governor, citizens across the globe are clamouring that the government should not be pushing for projects that are not needed in any environment.

    Shaibu said, “So, everything we have to do should be assessed. You cannot know the need of the people when you don’t live with them.

    “So for me, competence and experience should be the watchword as we go into election in 2024.

    “Who is competent? Who is more experienced? Who will hit the ground running from day one? Are we going to experiment with a new person again?

    “And the person will spend the first four years learning on the job and he will spend another four years trying to embezzle, set up his businesses in the name of consolidating on the gains of the first term.

    “Or we need a governor that from the day one will hit the ground running?”

    Shaibu, who had since indicated his interest in the Edo governorship race said that for any government to succeed, there must be collaboration between the state and the Federal Government.

    He said, “From my own experience, I have seen that for me to succeed as a Governor, there must be collaboration.

    “I understand the debt profile of the state and where I feel I can get funding to put up structure in the state. So, I won’t be coming to learn on the job, but to hit the ground running.”

    The deputy governor said that the problem with the system in Edo was that there had been too many seminars, workshops and programnes, yet the outcomes had never been implemented .

    “You see, the problem, what we have in the system is that we have too many seminars, too many workshops, too many programs and you don’t have time to implement their outcomes.”

    Shaibu, who also spoke on rotational governorship among the three zones in the state, said, “there was not and had never been any convention in the state, either through political or traditional conferences where such position was zoned.”

    He, however, said that he was an advocate of fairness and equity, adding “whoever talks about equity, must come with clean hands.

    Shaibu added, “Whereas other senatorial districts have had more than one turn in the governorship position in the state, Edo North had only one turn.

    “We have had four governors from South, two from Central and only one from North.

    “Just like my ambition to be the deputy governor was not mine, but I made myself available, so also the ambition to be governor is still not mine. I’m only making myself available.”

  • How my successor will emerge – Gov Obaseki

    How my successor will emerge – Gov Obaseki

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said the process of seeking his successor ahead of the 2024 governorship election in the State will reflect fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Obaseki said this while speaking with newsmen in the capital city of Benin on Friday.

    The Edo State Governor, however, stressed that he was not in the position at the moment to determine, appoint or anoint his successor.

    “All I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion because our goal is to keep Edo as one.

    “The important thing for us as an administration is for us to finish strong and complete everything we told Edo people we would do for them during our campaigns,” Obaseki said.

    Speaking on his relationship with his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, he said: “I have nothing personal against the deputy governor and never had. For me, the issues are very straightforward”.

    Recall relationship between Obaseki and Shaibu had gone frosty in recent times as the duo threw brickbats at themselves until Shaibu apologised to the governor on Sept. 21.

    Obaseki accepted Shaibu’s apology saying “to err is human, while to forgive is divine”.

    The governor was, however, silent on whether he would allow Shaibu to return to his office in Government House.

    “I have noted the public apology made by the Deputy Governor of Edo, His Excellency, Comrade Philip Shaibu. The apology followed an aberrant behaviour that contradicts what the people of Edo stand for.

    “To name a few, the deputy governor needlessly filed unfounded petitions in courts, restraining me, the House of Assembly and security agencies from a non-existent impeachment process.

    “This followed repeated breaches of protocol; unwarranted and unprovoked attacks in the media on my person and on the state government.

    “Although, these unwarranted provocations caused me severe personal discomfort, as a person of faith, I am under obligation to accept this apology, because as they say, to err is human, to forgive is divine.

    “In good faith, I trust that the public apology as expressed by the deputy governor is genuine, and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict-resolution skills.

    “I also enjoin the deputy governor to guide his proxies to act in accordance with his piety.

    “It is my sincere hope that this rhetoric will be put to an end to enable this administration to finish strong, over these final 12 months,” Obaseki had said.

    On Sept. 21, Shaibu pleaded with Obaseki to forgive him, saying he was sorry, adding that he was really missing the Edo governor.

    He also stated that he did not move into his newly-allocated office outside Government House because the recently-renovated office was not yet policed, and it lacked a conference room, among other needs.

  • JUST IN: Gov Obaseki writes Shaibu, accepts public apology (photo)

    JUST IN: Gov Obaseki writes Shaibu, accepts public apology (photo)

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has finally accepted the apology of his deputy, Philip Shaibu, over what he has described as an unwarranted provocation, which he said caused him severe personal discomfort.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Obaseki to have said he was under obligation to accept Shaibu’s apology, which the Deputy Governor tendered publicly, as a person of faith.

    In a letter titled, “Re: Public Apology By The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu,” Obaseki said in good faith, he trusts that the public apology as expressed by Shaibu is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills.

    The letter reads: “I have noted the public apology made by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu. This apology followed an aberrant behaviour that contradicts what the people of Edo State stand for.

    “To name a few, the Deputy Governor needlessly filed unfounded petitions in the Nigerian courts restraining me, the State House of Assembly and Security agencies from a non-existent impeachment process, followed by repeated breaches of protocol; unwarranted and unprovoked attacks in the media on my person and the State Government.

    “The media frenzy as a result of the above and more provided an impression of crises that have been precarious and distasteful to Edo people in the State and across the world.

    “Although these unwarranted provocations caused me severe personal discomfort, as a person of faith, I am under obligation to accept this apology because as they say, “to err is human, to forgive is divine.”

    Obaseki further noted, “In good faith, I trust that the public apology as expressed by the Deputy Governor is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills. I also enjoin the Deputy Governor to guide his proxies to act by his piety.”

    He added, “It is my sincere hope and that of my other colleagues in government and all well-meaning Edo people, that these rhetorics will be put to an end forthwith to enable this administration to finish strong and deliver the dividends of democracy to the greatest number of Edo people over this final twelve (12) months.”

    RE: PUBLIC APOLOGY BY THE EDO STATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR, PHILIP SHAIBU

    I have noted the public apology made by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu. This apology followed an aberrant behaviour that contradicts what the people of Edo State stand for.

    To name a few, the Deputy Governor needlessly filed unfounded petitions in the Nigerian courts restraining me, the State House of Assembly and Security agencies from a non-existent impeachment process, followed by repeated breaches of protocol; unwarranted and unprovoked attacks in the media on my person and the State Government. The media frenzy as a result of the above and more provided an impression of crises that have been precarious and distasteful to Edo people in the State and across the world.

    Although these unwarranted provocations caused me severe personal discomfort, as a person of faith, I am under obligation to accept this apology because as they say, “to err is human, to forgive is divine.”

    In good faith, I trust that the public apology as expressed by the Deputy Governor is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills. I also enjoin the Deputy Governor to guide his proxies to act by his piety.

    It is my sincere hope and that of my other colleagues in government and all well-meaning Edo people, that these rhetorics will be put to an end forthwith to enable this administration to finish strong and deliver the dividends of democracy to the greatest number of Edo people over this final twelve (12) months.

    His Excellency,

    Godwin Obaseki,

    Governor, Edo State.

  • Impeachment: Edo Deputy Gov withdraws suit against Obaseki

    Impeachment: Edo Deputy Gov withdraws suit against Obaseki

    The Deputy Governor of Edo, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has withdrawn the suit he slammed on Gov. Godwin Obaseki, seeking protection against his planned impeachment.

    Shaibu, in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Benin, said the withdrawal was as result of the intervention by well-meaning individuals in the state.

    The deputy governor had sought a restraining order against the governor, the Inspector General of Police, the State Security Service, Chief Judge of the state and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, against his removal from office.

    But in the statement, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Shaibu said he took the action as a result of the intervention of prominent indigenes of Edo.

    “Arising from the series of meetings held with me and also with Mr. Governor by well-meaning Edo indigenes, Nigerians and party leaders, traditional rulers, and my Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr Augustine Akubeze, the Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese, on the issues that led to my going to Court, I have instructed my solicitors to withdraw the suit forthwith.

    “I, Comrade Philip Shaibu, have authorized and instructed my solicitors to withdraw the suit forthwith,” he said.

    He commended well-meaning Nigerians, party leaders, traditional rulers and the Archbishop for their kind words, advice and encouragement in ensuring peace and unity in our State.

    Shaibu, however, appreciated Gov. Obaseki, whom he described as his boss, mentor and brother “for this path of peace”.

    Recall that Obaseki and his deputy have been engulfed in crisis over the successor battle in the forthcoming 2024 governorship election in the state.

    The fight culminated in stripping Shaibu of his supervisory roles at the revenue generation agencies, local government and sports.

  • Drama as DSS denies Shaibu access to Gov Obaseki in public

    Drama as DSS denies Shaibu access to Gov Obaseki in public

    There was a mild drama on Sunday at the venue of the Interdenominational Thanksgiving Church Service to mark the 32nd year anniversary of Edo State, held at the Festival Hall, Government House.

    Security details attached to Governor Godwin Obaseki restrained his Deputy, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu from getting close to the Governor at the public function.

    But the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sylvester Okungbowa, who defended his principal, said:

    “Whatever happened at the Church service was not at the behest of the Governor, neither was he aware what the security aides were doing; in fact the security aides were doing their job. Besides, the governor was not aware that the deputy was coming to greet him.

    “The Church is a public event, so the security aides had a duty to safeguard their principal.”

    The drama played out after Shaibu who recently fell out with his boss over his rumoured 2024 governorship ambition tried to access the Governor following his (Shaibu’s) return from vacation in the United States.

    However, all attempts by the Deputy Governor to get close to the Governor failed, as Shaibu was rebuffed by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) attached to the Governor’s office who blocked his way.

    It was, however, observed that the Deputy Governor would later from afar bow to the Governor in the form of respect and return back to his seating position.

    It was also gathered that no seat was reserved for the Deputy Governor on the Governor’s sitting row at the event, as Shaibu had to get a chair in front of the other aisle of the hall.

    However, addressing journalists shortly after the ceremony, the Deputy Governor reaffirmed his unalloyed loyalty to his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, whom he described as his elder brother.

    Shaibu said whatever disagreement he may have with his boss was strictly a family affair and he (Shaibu) would never address the governor in the media, while maintaining that ambition does not affect loyalty as his loyalty to Obaseki remain absolute.

    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.”

    Amid the feud between the two Edo political leaders, Shaibu approached the Federal High Court in Abuja for protection to restrain Governor Godwin Obaseki, Edo State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Edo State and others from impeaching him.

    In reaction, Governor Obaseki had accused Shaibu of being desperate to succeed him, saying the deputy governor may contemplate coup against him (Obaseki).

    Shaibu had however denied the allegations, saying he remained loyal to the Governor as there was no any ill attempt against Obaseki.

  • Edo impeachment saga: PDP passes vote of confidence on Obaseki

    Edo impeachment saga: PDP passes vote of confidence on Obaseki

    Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo have berated the Deputy Governor of the State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, for approaching the court over an allegation of impeachment.

    Rising from a meeting on Sunday in Igueben, Igueben Local Government Area of the state, the party leaders who are from Edo Central Senatorial District faulted Shaibu for failure to explore internal dispute resolution mechanisms of the party.

    The deputy governor had approached the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking a restraining order against his principal, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, whom he alleged was planning his impeachment.

    The meeting had in attendance the state chairman of the party , Mr Tony Aziegbemi; former Chairman, PDP Board of Trustee (BOT), Chief Tom Ikimi, former Edo Central Senator, Clifford Odia; two former House of Representatives’ members, Sergius Ogun and Joe Edionwele, among others.

    In a communique issued after the meeting and which was signed by the attendees, they said a vote of confidence was passed on the governor over the matter.

    “An Extraordinary Meeting of leaders of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo Central Senatorial District held today, the 13th of August 2023, at Igueben and topical issues affecting the Party in the State were reviewed.

    “During the meeting, a vote of implicit confidence in the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, was moved by Chief Francis Ulinfun and seconded by Elder Johnny Abhulimen.

    “The motion was unanimously passed by all the leaders in attendance on behalf of the party in Esanland.

    “The meeting noted with satisfaction the speedy and effective progress being made on the peace and reconciliation efforts to unite the contending forces within the party, particularly in Esanland.

    “However, the deteriorating relationship between our Governor, His Excellency Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy Rt Hon Philip Shaibu, was noted with utmost dismay,” the communique read

    The leaders observed that the controversy was unnecessary, considering that the central issue bordered on the governorship succession in 2024.

    “The reason for this is our strong belief that the strongest consideration for making the choice is equity in addition to other factors related to competence and individual acceptability.

    “From our interactions with our brothers from Edo South and Edo North, there is already a consensus that the next Governor will emanate from Edo Central Senatorial District principally because it is on record that Edo Central has not legally produced a governor for our dear state since the inception of this democratic dispensation in 1999.

    “Besides, we believe that the process of making such a choice can be achieved by the leadership of the party in a cordial and reasonable atmosphere rather than resorting to intimidation and blackmail.

    “Moreover, we condemn in very strong terms, the act of resorting to court without exhausting the options provided in our party constitution for dispute settlement.

    “In any case, the governor has confirmed that he has made no move to impeach his deputy and we believe him.

    “We, therefore, urge the deputy governor to withdraw his suit forthwith and seek a political solution to the problem with his principal,” the PDP leaders submitted.

    They expressed confidence in the ability of the leadership of the party in the state to resolve whatever may be the issues between the two party leaders in government.

    “Finally, His Excellency Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his firm resolve and determination to finish well and strong; we hereby identify with him in that resolution because we believe that nothing short of that will augur well for us, the party and our dear state,”.

    They therefore urged all men and women of goodwill to join hands with his Excellency to ensure success to make Edo great again.

  • Edo Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu denies planning to defect to APC

    Edo Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu denies planning to defect to APC

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has reacted to reports that he is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) to actualize his governorship ambition.

    Shuaibu’s Chief Press Secretary,  Musa Ebomhiana, in a statement on Thursday, described the claim as the handiwork of mischief makers trying to widen the rift between the deputy governor and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    There were speculations flying around that the Edo state Assembly tried to impeach the deputy governor.

    Shaibu also headed to court to seek an order to stop an alleged plot by Obaseki to use the state House of Assembly to impeach him.

    On Monday, while addressing the crisis between him and his deputy, Obaseki described Shuaibu’s suit against him as baseless, saying there was no plot to impeach him.

    Obaseki also categorically stated that Shuaibu had perfected plans to defect from the PDP to the APC to pursue his governorship ambition.

    However,  in a statement on Thursday, Shuaibu’s CPS said there was no truth in the defection claim, blaming it on those he described as “hack writers and mischief makers bent on destabilising our dear Edo State.”

    The statement reads partly “They will stop at nothing to widen the gulf between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy,  Comrade Philip Shaibu.

    “They have generated more lies from the pit of hell, saying that Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has perfected plans to rejoin the All Progressives Congress next week. There is no iota of truth in this.

    “To further put a lie to this, the spin doctors claimed that the APC National Working Committee is set to receive him in Abuja. The question here for the discerning minds is: is it the NWC of a party that receives a defector into the party?

    “Shaibu has never minced words, vowing to sink and swim with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki. This, he has said severally at public fora.

    “In view of this, I plead with these characters bent on driving a wedge between Shaibu and his boss, to put the Edo project and the people far above their own selfish interest,” Ebomhiana said.

    Recall that  the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, made an order restraining Obaseki from initiating any alleged impeachment process against Shaibu.

    Justice Ahmed  Mohammed ordered parties in the suit to maintain“status quo ante bellum.”

    Apart from Obaseki, also listed as defendants in the suit filed by Shaibu were the Inspector General of Police; the Department of State  Services; the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly; and the Chief Judge, Edo State.

    Justice Mohammed, in a ruling on Thursday, restrained the security agencies from arresting, detaining, or harassing Shaibu, pending the determination of his suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1027/2023.

    The judge, while adjourning the matter till August 22, directed the defendants to show cause why the prayers being sought by Shaibu in his suit should not be granted.

    However, the Senator representing Edo North in the country’s upper chamber, Adams Oshiomhole had told Shauibu to stay put in PDP, saying APC is not a rehabilitation ground for rejected politicians.