Security has been beefed up at the Government House in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Benin over the likelihood the reinstated Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, will resume office on Monday.
According to The Nation, security operatives, including policemen, Department of State Services (DSS) officials and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others are on standby, with many Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
They prevented vehicles into Government House from the first gate with staff, journalists, visitors, and others politely asked to trek, leaving their cars behind.
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Edo Deputy Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the effect that Edo State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, is making plans to invade the Government House on Monday, September 30, 2024, in a bid to enforce two different court judgements, ordering his reinstatement.
“We want to put it clearly here that, unlike Governor Godwin Obaseki, Philip Shaibu is a peace-loving man, who firmly believes in the rule of law and would not want to shed innocent blood, for whatever reason.
“As it is today, in eyes of the law and in the eyes of the good people of Edo State, indeed, Nigerians, Philip Shaibu is the de jure and de facto Deputy Governor of Edo State. We need not fight or struggle for that which God has given us.
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“Obaseki and his co-travellers should accept the fact that the good people of Edo State have spoken, and his godson, Asue Ighodalo, has been roundly rejected at the governorship election of September 21, 2024. Sadly, this reality is yet to dawn on them.
“Crusoe Osagie (Special Adviser to Edo Governor on Media Projects), the purveyor of the fake news, is well known as an alarmist and propagandist who thrives on rumours and beer parlour gossips, with little or no respect for the ethics of our cherished profession, Journalism. So, he has to be ignored.”
Special Adviser to Obaseki on Media Projects Crusoe Osagie accused Shaibu of planning to invade Government House with thugs.
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Obaseki’s media aide alleged that the planned invasion by Shaibu, was to enforce his reinstatement despite the fact that a stay of execution appeal had been filed, challenging Justice James Omotosho’s judgment.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, and all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on Shaibu to refrain from his “devious” plot, which he described as a clear recipe for chaos.
Shaibu’s camp has denied the allegation, saying he is a man of peace.