In a display of loyalty, Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has reaffirmed his allegiance to Governor Godwin Obaseki amidst recent tensions. Shaibu emphasized that loyalty transcends personal ambitions, highlighting the strength of their bond.
Shaibu who spoke on Sunday at the 32nd anniversary of Edo State, held at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, Edo State, described the governor as his elder brother.
This is coming following weeks of dispute between the governor and his deputy. The deputy had gone to a Federal High in Abuja and obtained an injunction to stop the governor and state assembly of plots to impeach him.
He said, “My loyalty to the governor remains absolute. I see that everybody is doing solidarity. I am also in solidarity with the governor. I am also declaring my unalloyed loyalty to the governor and nothing more.”
“As for the issues that are around town when I was away, I really would not want to talk about them especially about the governor. He is my elder brother and boss and I don’t think I should talk about anything.
“And if I have issues with him, I think it is better settled at home and not in the media. I am well brought up.
“I can tell you that from my Christian background, if you make a vow with God that you want to do something, you must fulfill 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 does not stop anything that has to do with ambition. Ambition is personal and it does not affect loyalty. My loyalty to the governor remains absolute. I see that everybody is doing solidarity. I am also in solidarity with the governor. I am also declaring my unalloyed solidarity and loyalty to the governor and nothing more.”
Obaseki, on his part, had expressed shock at his deputy’s action and accused him of plotting a coup against him.
Recall that Obaseki accused Shaibu of planning to succeed him at all costs ahead of the state governorship election scheduled to hold in 2024.
Obaseki while addressing stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday, August 11, said, “The constitution made me the governor of Edo State and it does not give room for a co-governor.
“My keen interest has been to unify and consolidate our party that’s why I supervised the local government election. He has never come to me to talk about running. He just said he is consulting.”