Drama ensued at the Edo State Government House on Sunday as security personnel denied Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, access to Governor Godwin Obaseki at a public function.
Viral pictures on social media platforms pictured the moment Obaseki was sitting with his wife while the security aide stood in front of him to prevent access at the Interdenominational Thanksgiving Church Service to mark Edo’s 32nd year anniversary, held at the Festival Hall, Government House.
The development is speculated to be connected to the recent misunderstanding between Shaibu and his principal over his speculated 2024 governorship ambition following his return from vacation in the United States of America.
However, the deputy governor has denied rumours of any rift, pledging his loyalty to Obaseki, noting that his loyalty has nothing to do with his ambition to become the governor of the state.
Shaibu also described the governor as his elder brother.
The deputy governor said, “My loyalty to the governor remains absolute. I see that everybody is in solidarity. I am also in solidarity with the governor. I am also declaring my unalloyed loyalty to the governor and nothing more.”
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“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 fulfil 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.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sylvester Okungbowa, in his reaction to the incident defended his principal, saying, “Whatever happened at the Church service was not at the behest of the Governor, neither was he aware 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,” he added. See the photos below:
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