THE NATION
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday explained why he would not back his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, to succeed him.
He said it was not yet time for intense politicking, as doing so would be a distraction.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, said no amount of blackmail would make the Edo governor support Shaibu’s governorship aspiration at this time.
The media aide said it was his boss’ well-considered position that abandoning governance to pursue intense politics now would not be in the best interests of the Edo people.
Osagie, who described Shaibu as a rabble-rouser, noted that he took his indiscipline and hubris to the zenith by trying to create a crisis.
The spokesman said: “Shaibu always plays the card of a very loyal deputy, but this is far from reality. A sinner runs when no one pursues him.
“The most blame goes to Governor Obaseki for trying to adopt a civilised manner in relating with his deputy, in a society where such gesture would be taken for weakness.”
The relationship between the governor and the deputy was ruptured over the deputy governor’s decision to contest next year’s election.
The governor is believed to be backing a Lagos-based professional to succeed him in office.
As a result of the frosty relationship, the deputy governor has gone to the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek protection from victimization.
Comrade Shaibu is currently away in the United States.
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, said he and other leaders of the party will intervene.
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