The embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, on Monday, defied warnings from the state government and proceeded to inspect several ongoing projects in Benin City, the state capital.
Despite the state government’s caution against him acting in an official capacity, Shaibu visited major sites, including the multi-billion naira Radisson Blu Hotel, the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA), and road reconstruction projects on Okada Avenue and Central Road.
Shaibu, who has been at the center of a political dispute with Governor Godwin Obaseki, was impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly a few months ago. However, a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the impeachment, though the state government has appealed the verdict, which is pending before the Appellate Court.
In a statement prior to Shaibu’s actions, the Edo State Government had warned him not to disrupt governance processes and urged him to respect the law. Despite this, Shaibu insisted on carrying out his duties as the state’s deputy governor.
Speaking to journalists at the MOWAA project site, Shaibu expressed concerns about the location of the museum, which was initially meant to be a central hospital for the people.
“Work is about 80 per cent completed. It is fine but I have my reservation, this is supposed to be a Central Hospital for the people and not to build a museum here,” he said.
Regarding his official status, Shaibu dismissed claims from the Obaseki administration that he no longer holds office.
“We should not respond to people in exile who release press releases because we are here. Anybody who wants to release a press release should come here and not be in exile and start releasing press statements. We should ignore them,” he stated.
Shaibu affirmed that he has resumed his duties following the court ruling and emphasized that the office of the Deputy Governor is constitutionally defined and independent of the governor’s control.
“I am deputy governor and my role is clearly defined. I will be going round in the next two weeks, starting with Edo South, after then Central and then North to check what we have done… I am doing my work as deputy governor of Edo State,” he added.
Meanwhile, Governor Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, issued a statement responding to Shaibu’s actions, noting that while Shaibu, like any private citizen, is free to tour state projects, he must not violate the law.
“We warn, however, that both Philip Shaibu and the security agencies should not carry out actions that violate the laws and the constitution,” Osagie stated, urging Shaibu to await the outcome of the appeal court ruling.
The state government reassured Edo residents that governance would continue uninterrupted and that their safety and property remained a top priority.