Shaibu Accuses Governor Obaseki Of Intimidating Him
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has accused his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki of “intimidation” and “harassment”.
He stated this during his appearance on channels television. Shaibu noted that the governor should have discussed his choice of a successor with him.
Empire reported yesterday that the deputy governor had declared his interest in the 2024 Governorship race on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He added that it is within his constitutional right to vie for the governorship seat, even though he has been at loggerheads with his principal.
According to him, “He (Obaseki) said I am the type of deputy governor any governor will wish to have. So, what has changed? What has changed simply is that I want to be the governor of Edo State.
“Possibly, maybe he (Obaseki) wants somebody else. In a situation like that, what you do is not intimidation, it is not harassment; you call a family together, you call all of us (aspirants) together, and give us reasons why you feel certain things should be. Tell us what you want. You don’t intimidate, you don’t harass.
“If I am governor tomorrow and my deputy wants to contest, he has the right to contest. If I want to support somebody else, I also have the right to support somebody else, not intimidation.
“No conversation and then the next thing is intimidation and harassment, not to somebody that has sacrificed for the government.”
“I am someone that can easily give in after engagement but I am not somebody that can give in to intimidation. If I am to give in to intimidation, we won’t have democracy today,” Shaibu said.
“It’s my cross I am carrying and that is why I have refused. I don’t need to fight. I am loyal to the governor; it’s not disputed but my right to contest is mine. Loyalty is given and it is fully given even with the humiliations and everything I am still loyal but when it comes to contest, it is my constitutional right,” he said.
“I have no problem but I beg the governor, the governor should know he is the leader, he must be able to organize all of us, he must not love one more than the other. If he must do so, he must humiliate one,” Shaibu said, adding that he has been “praying that this whole relationship thing comes to normal”.
