Philip Shaibu, the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, has denied accusations that he is plotting to invade the Edo State Government House to force his reinstatement. The Edo State Government had made this allegation, claiming Shaibu planned to storm the Government House on Monday to enforce a court ruling in his favor.
Shaibu, through his Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, dismissed the allegations, calling them “propaganda and cheap blackmail.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, Ebomhiana said, “There is no iota of truth in the government’s statement. Governor Godwin Obaseki should accept the results of the September 21 governorship election instead of resorting to false accusations.”
Earlier on Sunday, Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to the Edo State Government, called on the Inspector General of Police to intervene, urging him to prevent Shaibu from carrying out what he described as a “devious plot” that could lead to chaos.
Osagie stated, “We have gathered intelligence that the former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, is planning to forcefully enter the Edo State Government House to enforce the ruling of Justice J. K. Omotosho.”
Osagie added that the situation could escalate, pointing out that during a previous attempt by Shaibu, a police officer was killed.
“The last time Shaibu attempted this, it led to the death of a police officer. One death is too many, and we must prevent a repeat of such a tragedy,” Osagie said.
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He further noted that the government had written to the Inspector General of Police and other relevant authorities to stay any enforcement of the court ruling until the ongoing appeal was resolved.
“The stay of execution is still pending at the Court of Appeal, and we urge the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the state does not descend into anarchy due to the ambitions of one individual.”
Osagie also highlighted that the appeal raised critical issues that needed to be addressed before any enforcement could take place.
“The government’s legal team has emphasized that enforcing the judgment before the appeal is concluded could undermine the Court of Appeal’s authority and lead to lawlessness in Benin City and across Edo State,” he said.