Gov Obaseki, Philip Shaibu Dispute Claims of Public Property Looting in Edo

Barely 40 days before the end of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, the Edo State Government and reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu are embroiled in a heated war of words concerning the alleged looting of public properties by political appointees.

According to reports, the confrontation began after a circular issued by Philip Shaibu raised alarms about the potential looting of government assets as the administration’s tenure comes to an end.

The circular, dated October 4, 2024, and signed by the reinstated deputy governor, urged Permanent Secretaries and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to take responsibility for protecting government properties, warning them that they would be held accountable by the incoming administration for any missing assets.

Shaibu stated, “As our administration ends in a few weeks, I have issued a stern warning to Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to guard against the looting of government properties by political appointees, as they would be held accountable by the incoming administration for any assets missing under their watch.”

He emphasized the responsibility of Permanent Secretaries and MDAs to ensure no government property is unlawfully removed by political appointees such as the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners, and Special Advisers.

Shaibu warned that failure to act would result in them being held responsible for missing inventories.

However, the statement has been met with a sharp rebuttal from Governor Obaseki’s camp. Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, issued a response urging state officials to disregard Shaibu’s circular.

Osagie emphasized that Shaibu, who was impeached earlier, lacked the authority to issue any such directive.

“Our attention has been drawn to the very ridiculous statement purportedly signed by the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu… We want to restate that Philip Shaibu remains impeached as the deputy governor of Edo State until the determination of the court and therefore lacks the power and authority to issue directives,” Osagie said.

He further urged Edo workers to disregard Shaibu’s statement and continue their lawful duties without fear, assuring them that the Obaseki administration is still in full control until its official end on November 12, 2024, when Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect, will assume office.