The Government House Office of Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu now has a new tenant, contrary to claims that he was moved from the office to pave the way for its renovation.
Shaibu’s former office now serves as secretariat to the annual Alaghodaro Summit.
Alaghodaro, a Benin catchphrase meaning “progress” or “moving forward”, is an investment drive by the state government, initiated by Obaseki.
The reallocation of the facility became public yesterday, a day the embattled deputy governor begged his boss, Godwin Obaseki for forgiveness and reconciliation.
According to a September 18 memo sighted by The Nation, Obaseki directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, to “immediately” allocate Shaibu’s office building to the trustees of the Alaghodaro Summit as their secretariat.
The development contravened Obaseki’s earlier claim that the one-storey building was scheduled for renovation.
It was gathered that the chairman of Alaghodaro, through its secretary, had written to Obaseki for a permanent secretariat to aid planning and logistics for this year’s summit in the second week of November.
According to the memo, the office space closest to the venue of the summit is the New Festival Hall of Government House, which until a few days ago, was occupied by Shaibu.
It directed that the space be allocated to the board of trustees of the Alaghodaro Summit, expected to attract potential investors.
Obaseki and Shaibu are locked in a succession battle. Shaibu’s purported ambition to succeed Obaseki next year is at the centre of the feud.
Earlier in the month, Obaseki ordered the relocation of his deputy to an office outside the government house. He also disbanded his media crew.
Shaibu’s office was to No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin.
Conspicuous at the entrance of the one-storey building is an unveiled inauguration plaque, with the inscription: “Edo State Public Procurement Agency”.
The building was commissioned by Obaseki’s predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole on December 16, 2014.
A September 15 letter from the SSG directing Shaibu to relocate to the new office was received at the closing hours on September 18.
Shaibu’s aides and the civil servants attached to his office had moved two weeks earlier, in line with the directive of the Edo Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa.
On September 5, Shaibu withdrew his anti-impeachment suit, with reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023, from the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
But he appears determined to participate in the September 2024 governorship election. Obaseki is backing Asue Ighodalo, a lawyer from Esanland, Edo Central Senatorial District.
Obaseki is from Edo South senatorial district while his deputy hails from Edo North senatorial district.
But Shaibu has now apologised to his principal over their political differences.
He spoke with reporters in his Benin City residence shortly after his investiture as the grand patron of the Catholic Men’s Organisation (CMO) of the Catholic Archdioceses of Benin.
Urging Obaseki to forgive him for his shortcomings, Shaibu said: “We have resumed, there is no problem about it; the governor has asked us to go there.
“Like I always tell people, I am a loyal servant; there is nothing that has changed. I took a personal vow to support the governor, and you can see my Catholic people are here. Everything about me, if I have a vow with God, there is nothing that will change it.”
