In a significant development, Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, has taken steps to mend fences with his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, by withdrawing the case he had filed to prevent his own impeachment.
The discord between the Deputy Governor and Governor Obaseki arose when Shaibu publicly announced his aspiration to contest in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
In response to this, Shaibu initiated legal action by filing a case in a Federal Court in Abuja, where he secured an injunction to prevent any potential impeachment. The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023, named Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Inspector-General of Police, the State Security Service, and the Chief Judge of Edo State as defendants.
Throughout this period, Shaibu experienced a series of public humiliations, including being prevented by a security operative from approaching the governor at a public event in Benin.
Additionally, the Governor disbanded his media team after they were forcefully removed from an event venue in the Edo State capital.
Reports also surfaced over the weekend that Obaseki had relocated Shaibu’s office to a location outside the government’s house.
In a concise two-paragraph statement dated September 5, 2023, Shaibu announced his decision to withdraw the case filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He cited the intervention of prominent personalities within and outside the state as the reason for this decision.
Shaibu’s statement read, “Arising from the series of meetings held with me and also with Mr. Governor by well-meaning Edolites and indeed Nigerians, including party leaders, traditional rulers, and my Archbishop, His Grace Most Rev’d Dr. Augustine Akubeze, the Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese on the issues that led to my going to Court on the above-named suit and with due respect to these eminent personalities and leaders whose persuasions and persons I cannot ignore, I, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu have authorized and instructed my Solicitors to withdraw the suit forthwith.
“I wish to sincerely thank and appreciate these well-meaning Nigerians, Party Leaders, Traditional Rulers, and my Archbishop, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Akubeze for their kind words, advise and encouragement thus far in ensuring peace and unity in our dear State, Edo.
“I also wish to place on record my special thanks to Mr. Governor, my boss and senior brother for this path of peace.”
This development marks a significant step towards reconciliation and the restoration of unity within Edo State’s political landscape.
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