The ongoing tension between Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, may not be ending soon, as the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly denied Shaibu access to the governor during a church service.
Philip Shaibu was among the attendees of the church service commemorating the 32nd anniversary of Edo State’s creation. The event took place at the New Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin on Sunday.
During the service, as Shaibu rose to extend greetings to Governor Obaseki, a plain-clothed DSS operative intervened, preventing the deputy governor from approaching the governor.
Despite Shaibu’s efforts to communicate with the security personnel, he was unable to proceed and eventually returned to his seat.
Governor Obaseki, who was seated next to his wife, Betsy, and Charles Aniagwu, a Commissioner of Delta State, reportedly averted his gaze during the incident.
Reacting to the situation, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Andrew Okungbowa, clarified that the DSS operative’s actions were carried out in accordance with his duty to ensure security.
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“Whatever happened at the church service was not at the behest of the governor, neither was he aware of what the security aides were doing. In fact, the security aides were doing their job. Besides, the governor was not aware that the deputy was coming to greet him. The church is a public event, so the security aides had a duty to safeguard their principal,” Okungbowa explained.
Despite the awkward episode, Philip Shaibu expressed unwavering loyalty to Governor Obaseki. Speaking to journalists present at the venue, he referred to Obaseki as his elder brother.
Shaibu, who hails from Edo North Senatorial District, has expressed his intention to succeed Governor Obaseki. However, the governor is advocating for his successor to come from Esanland in Edo Central senatorial district, as opposed to Shaibu’s Edo North origin.