- Shuaib stated that the reported rift between him and Obaseki was a fabrication of fifth columnists who wanted to use the fictitious acrimony to advance their own interest
- Shaibu said his principal was a victim of political jobner, pledging his loyalty to the governor
Edo State deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has said he enjoys a cordial and splendid relationship with the governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki.
Shuaib stated that the reported rift between him and Obaseki was a fabrication of fifth columnists who wanted to use the fictitious acrimony to advance their own interest.
The deputy governor said this in reaction to a ‘shocking’ statement, by Governor Obaseki where he claimed Shaibu was desperate and staged a coup to oust him,
Addressing his aides on Saturday morning, Shaibu said his principal was a victim of political jobner, pledging his loyalty to the governor.
According to him, political jobbers sold the coup dummy to the governor whom he referred to as his ‘elder brother’ with a view to provoking more crisis so they could profit off it.
He said it is preposterous to contemplate a coup against a man who has given him so much latitude to operate.
While denouncing the allegations, Hon. Shaibu was emphatic in stating that the claims were not only baseless but also malicious attempts by political jobbers hell-bent on misleading the governor “with the singular aim of damaging my reputation and sowing seeds of discord between me and my brother governor”.
Shaibu reiterated his unwavering loyalty to Governor Obaseki and the principles of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to which they both belong, adding that it is a privilege to serve as Governor Obaseki’s Deputy, and consistently within the last seven years demonstrated his commitment to the advancement of a shared vision for Edo State.
“Any insinuation that he harbours ulterior motives or seeks to undermine the Governor’s leadership is nothing short of a fabrication”, one of his aides said after the meeting.
Shaibu maintained that he believes in the power of teamwork and collaboration and that as a testament to this, himself and Governor Obaseki have worked tirelessly together to deliver on the promises they made to the good people of Edo State.
He said their achievements in various sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation, are a testament to this collective effort and the synergy between their offices.
According to him, as Deputy Governor, his role is to support and complement the Governor’s agenda and not to undermine it
“I have consistently advocated for policies and initiatives that align with this administration’s goals and aspirations. It is disheartening to see such baseless allegations being propagated, as they only serve to distract the administration from its primary objective of serving the people of Edo State”, he declared.
Respect for joint mandate
Shaibu said he remains an unrepentant democrat who believes in the democratic process and respects the mandate given to Governor Obaseki and his humble self by the people of Edo State and that the idea that he would consider a ‘coup’ to overthrow a democratically elected government is not only absurd but also deeply offensive.
The deputy governor urged the media and the public to approach these allegations with the skepticism they deserve, while he encouraged all to focus on the issues that truly matter to the people of Edo State – improving their lives, providing quality education, ensuring accessible healthcare, and creating employment opportunities.
“Governor Obaseki and myself are committed to the continued development of Edo State. We are united in our determination to build a prosperous and inclusive society. I call on all well-meaning individuals to reject these divisive narratives and join in the quest to transform Edo State into a model of sustainable development and good governance. Edo state PDP politicians should embrace peace and seek unity to fight the common enemy”, one of his aides who was at the meeting quoted him as saying
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