Obaseki: Shaibu’s guber ambition was difficult to understand — he went against the system

Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, says the odds were always stacked against Philip Shaibu in his bid to succeed him. 

During an interview with Channels Television on Monday, Obaseki said he could not have taken a risk with Shaibu’s governorship bid.

On April 8, the Edo state house of assembly impeached Shaibu as deputy governor of the state.

The impeachment was sequel to the adoption of the report of a seven-member investigative panel set up to probe the allegations against Shaibu.

Shaibu was accused of “misconduct, perjury, and disclosure of government secrets”.

Immediately after the impeachment, Obaseki swore in Omobayo Godwins as his new deputy.

Shaibu rejected his impeachment, saying he was ousted because of his desire to contest the 2024 governorship election.

Shaibu and Obaseki were at loggerheads until the former was impeached.

During the interview, Obaseki was asked if he regretted the impeachment of Shaibu.

The Edo governor said the impeachment was a “question of expediency” and that his former deputy fought against the “system”.

“There is a system in the state and he decided to go against the system. He had to deal with the consequences,” Obaseki said.

“For me, I did not understand where the ambition was coming from because it was clear that the odds were not in his favour in terms of succeeding me,” the governor said.

“I could not take any risk on the ambition because I have to protect the people of Edo state.”