Obaseki: I haven’t annointed a successor | My administration must finish strong

Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, says he is yet to annoint anyone as his successor.

Obaseki spoke to journalists on Friday in Benin, the state capital.

The governor said the process of seeking his successor ahead of the 2024 governorship election in the state must reflect fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion.

“I am not in the position now to determine, appoint or anoint a successor,’’ Obaseki said.

“All I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion because our goal is to keep Edo as one.

“The important thing for us as an administration is for us to finish strong and complete everything we told Edo people we would do for them during our campaign.”

On his relationship with Philip Shaibu, his deputy, Obaseki said he has never had anything against him.

“I have nothing personal against the deputy governor and never had,” he said.

“For me, the issues are very straightforward.”

Obaseki and Shaibu have been at loggerheads over issues relating 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.

After the accusation, the deputy governor was prevented from gaining access to a state-organised event where the governor and other leaders of Edo state were present.

Subsequently, the office of the deputy governor was relocated to a building outside the government house.

On September 21, Shuaibu apologised to the governor.