Edo deputy governor walks out of event after aides were denied entry

Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo, on Monday staged a walk-out at an event in the state after his aides, including security operatives, were denied entry.

As seen in a video shared by Arise Television on Monday, while Shaibu was allowed into the venue of the 60th anniversary of the Midwest referendum organised by the state government, his entourage was stopped from gaining access to the event. 

When the deputy governor sought permission for his team to come with him into the venue, a security official was seen blocking the way.

“They must go with me,” the deputy governor said. But the security officials in front of him said: “Don’t go in”.

Shaibu then ordered a member of his entourage to start making a video of the incident.

“Be videoing what is happening. It is not fair. Continue recording him,” he said in the one-minute 46-second clip.

But an official who looked like the one in charge, told the deputy governor: “Just hold on and let me get instruction”.

After what appeared like an eternity, the embattled deputy governor signalled to his team to leave the venue of the referendum, saying “let’s go”.

A visibly frustrated Shaibu was seen leading his aides out of the venue. Thereafter, they hopped into their vehicles and sped away.

SHAIBU VS OBASEKI

Over the past few weeks, Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo and Shaibu have been at loggerheads over issues pertaining to the alleged impeachment plot against the deputy governor.

In July, Shaibu approached a federal high court in Abuja with a suit to prevent the plot. However, Obaseki and Blessing Agbebaku, speaker of the Edo house of assembly, denied the alleged impeachment plot.

In early August, Obaseki accused Shaibu of attempting to overthrow him.

On Sunday, a crisis almost erupted at the New Festival Hall of Government House, Benin, when an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) prevented Shaibu from meeting with the governor.

Reacting to the incident, Andrew Okungbowa, the governor’s chief press secretary, said Obaseki was not aware of the security actions.

“Whatever happened at the church service was not at the behest of the governor, neither was he aware of what the security aides were doing,” Okungbowa had said.

“In fact, the security aides were doing their job. Besides, the governor was not aware that the deputy was coming to greet him. The church is a public event, so the security aides had a duty to safeguard their principal.”