Edo 2024: “I’m ready to hand over to Okpebholo if Obaseki shuns swearing-in” — Shaibu

Philip Shaibu, who has recently been reinstated as the deputy governor of Edo State, has expressed his readiness to transition power to the incoming government following the upcoming inauguration.

On Tuesday, Monday Okpebholo is set to be sworn in as the governor of Edo State in a ceremony in Benin City.

Last weekend, a spokesperson for Monday Okpebholo’s team accused Godwin Obaseki, the current governor of Edo State, of undermining the peaceful transfer of power.

Godspower Inegbe, media aide to Okpebholo, said Obaseki has deployed every tool in his arsenal to frustrate the handover.

The team expressed concerns that Obaseki’s actions could create unnecessary tension and disrupt the transition process.

They emphasized the importance of a smooth handover for the stability of the state, urging all parties involved to prioritize cooperation and dialogue during this critical period.

Inegbe said Obaseki has neither called to congratulate the governor-elect nor taken Okpebholo on a tour of the government house.

Obaseki had said he has not been invited to Okpebholo’s swearing-in ceremony.

Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Shaibu said he would hand over the appropriate documents whether Obaseki makes himself available or not.

He said on Monday, he took Dennis Idahosa, the deputy governor-elect, on a tour of the government house.

“I’m so excited and happy. I am in a hurry to go and hand over to the governor and deputy governor,” Shaibu said.

“The office of the governor is one, so if the governor is not present, the deputy governor would handle it but whether he is there or not, I’m ready to hand it over to the deputy governor-elect.

“Immediately after the swearing-in, we will go to the office and hand over. All the documents are ready, we were in the office yesterday to show him round.”

The outgoing deputy governor said he has not seen Obaseki in the last four days.

He added that there has been no communication between them since the fall out.

“All through when I was in the office yesterday, he was not at the government house, and the last time I saw him was four days ago. I haven’t had communication with him, though he doesn’t communicate with me,” he said.

“It’s very unfortunate. This is the first time a governor and his deputy will have to part without talking to each other.”

Obaseki and Shaibu have been at loggerheads over political differences since the turn of the year.