By Seyi Babalola
A letter, dated September 15, 2023, written by Secretary to the State Government, Edo State, Osarodion Ogie, Esq, to the embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, but received on September 18, 2023, has emerged.
The letter, which was received and signed by a person who simply identified as ‘PS’, was delivered on September 18, 2023, about two weeks after the deputy governor was moved out of the Government House.
Shaibu was moved to a new office on Dennis Osadebay Avenue on September 2, 2023 and the letter conveying Governor Godwin Obaseki’s approval and directive to that effect was dated September 15 and received on September 18, 2023.
But according to the state government, “The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, was informed of his relocation to a new office last week. It said:
“A letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, dated September 15, 2023, and sent to the Office of the Deputy Governor on the same day has emerged.
“The deputy governor was last week notified by the letter that his office accommodation had been moved to No. 7, Dennis Osadebe Avenue, GRA.
“According to the SSG, ‘I write to inform you that His Excellency, the Governor has approved the relocation of your office accommodation to No. 7, Dennis Osadebe Avenue, GRA, Benin City.
“You are therefore requested to ensure your compliance in line with Mr. Governor’s approval, please.”
The battle for succession has pitched the deputy governor against the state’s number one citizen.
Shaibu, who hails from Edo North Senatorial District, intends to succeed Obaseki, an indigene of Benin in Edo South senatorial district, but the governor seems not in the same with his deputy in the scheme
Shaibu had previously staged a walkout of an event organised by the government after his aides were forced out of the hall.
The incident happened barely 24 hours after a Department of State Services (DSS) operative denied him access to Governor Godwin Obaseki, on a Sunday service to mark the creation of the state.
