The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, is currently in the process of moving out of the Government House in Benin City. This development follows the recent relocation of the deputy governor’s office from the Government House by the state governor, Godwin Obaseki.
The rift between Governor Obaseki and Deputy Governor Shaibu has been ongoing, primarily fueled by Shaibu’s gubernatorial ambition for 2024. It was exacerbated by a lawsuit filed by the deputy governor against Obaseki in an attempt to prevent his removal from office.
Despite withdrawing the lawsuit from the court last week, it was reported that the state government insisted on relocating the Deputy Governor’s office away from the Government House.
A high-ranking official within the Office of the Deputy Governor disclosed that on Monday, a letter signed by the Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, on behalf of the state government, directed the Deputy Governor to move his office.
A visit to the new office, situated at No. 7, Osadebe Avenue, GRA, revealed that staff from the Deputy Governor’s office were in the process of transferring files and other office equipment from the Government House to the new location.
Prior to the move, the state government had undertaken extensive maintenance work on the new office space, which had previously been an abandoned building formerly used by the state Procurement Agency.
