An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Professor John Ebhomien has weighed in on the impasse between the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
TrackNews Media recalls that the rift between the duo took a positive turn after Shaibu publicly apologised to the governor and Obaseki accepted the olive branch.
Shaibu and Obaseki fell out as a result of Shaibu’s ambition to contest the 2024 governorship election and succeed his principal.
The rift resulted in Obaseki relocating the deputy governor’s office out of the government house, disbanding his media crew, and also removing him as the supervisory head of the revenue generation agencies in the state.
Speaking on the altercation between the Edo leaders during an interview with Daily Independent, Ebhomien opined that the rift was a waste of time.
He stated that Shaibu ought to understand that he was appointed as a deputy to the governor and must act accordingly.
He argued that Shaibu was ungrateful to Obaseki and the Edo people for his ambition.
According to him, “The unnecessary altercation between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shuaibu is a waste of time. The deputy governor should realise that he was appointed as a deputy by the governor, Mr. Obaseki Mr. Shuaibu should also realize that in the Edo State political equation, there are guidelines and simple agreements whether written and unwritten must be adhered to. Any deviation from that zoning and political appointments arrangement should be viewed as insubordination.
“It is clear from all indications that the Edo North has had their fair share in the governorship position of Edo State. The Edo South also has had their fair share in the governorship position in the person of the former Edo State governor, Lucky Igbinedion and the present governor, Obaseki. So, it is the turn of Edo Central, that is Esan land, to be precise, to produce the next governor of Edo State. So, what is good for Edo South and Edo North is also good for Edo Central.
“Edo Central has men and women with better qualifications, experience with a high sense of integrity to move Edo State forward to an enviable level. So, Mr Philip Shuaibu is ungrateful to Governor Obaseki and the people of Edo State Central. Shuaibu should not ply on the intelligence and integrity of Edo people, especially Edo Central. My candid advice for Mr Shuaibu is to apologise to Mr. Obaseki for playing on the sensibility, and intelligence of Governor Obaseki and the people of do Central. Mr Shuaibu should bury his ambition to become the next governor of Edo State. Mr. Shuaibu should wait if he has any governorship ambition, the turn of the Edo South.”
