As a letter to that effect, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, surfaced on Tuesday morning, the drama surrounding the transfer of Edo State deputy governor, comrade Philip Shaibu’s office outside the government house may have come to an end.
When he was locked out on Monday, Shaibu had denied knowing about the change in location of his office and noted that he had not received a letter ordering him to vacate the government house property for another site.
The embattled deputy governor also said that only the civil servants were instructed through a letter to move into the new office.
The letter by Ogie addressed to the deputy governor, stated that Governor Godwin Obaseki had directed that the Shaibu should relocate to the new office address.
A Permanent Secretary in the deputy governor’s office received the letter, dated September 15, 2023, and acknowledged it on September 18, 2023, a Monday.
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“Relocation of Office Accommodation” is the subject of the message, which begins: “I write to notify you that His Excellency, the Governor, has approved the relocation of your office accommodations to No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, G.R.A., Benin City.
“You are therefore requested to ensure your compliance in line with Mr Governor’s approval, please.”
Shaibu and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, had a falling out when the deputy governor filed a lawsuit in an Abuja Federal High Court earlier in August, asking for the court’s protection from the governor’s alleged plot to impeach him using the Edo State House of Assembly and others.
The deputy governor’s media team was quickly disbanded by the governor in response to the lawsuit, and his office was relocated from the main Government House.
Some notable citizens of the state from the political and religious circles, had three weeks ago intervened, which made Shaibu withdraw the case from court.
However, any hope that the rift would be resolved was dented on Monday when the gate leading to Shaibu’s office was locked and he was prevented from gaining access to the building.
