State govt flays Shaibu over visit to construction site

Tension heightened at the Edo State Government House as security operatives ensured restriction of movements into the premises yesterday.  The security beef-up at the Government House is not unconnected with the alleged invasion by the Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, yesterday to enforce his reinstatement as ordered by the court.
 
Vehicles of visitors and civil servants working in the premises were also prevented from gaining access to the premises.  Recall that the state government had, on Sunday, in a statement by Crusoe Osagie, the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki, alleged that Shaibu has perfected plans to invade the Government House “to enforce his purported reinstatement despite the stay of execution appeal the state government filed challenging Justice J. K. Omotosho’s ruling”.  
 
The governor’s aide had called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on Shaibu to refrain from his devious plot, as it is a clear recipe for chaos, given that a policeman was killed the last time he attempted such action.

MEANWHILE, the Edo State Government has condemned what it described as the unauthorised visit of Shaibu to the construction site of the Radisson Hotel Project. 
 
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, which was made available to The Guardian, the Edo State government said that Shaibu’s action represents a significant breach of privacy for the private sector investors involved in the project.

According to him, the Radisson Hotel Project is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), where the private sector holds the majority equity, pointing out that these investors have the right to pursue legal action against Shaibu for infringing upon their private space.
  
He said: “We recognise that Shaibu’s limited experience in the private sector may hinder his understanding of the legal risks associated with his actions. He needs to acknowledge that, as a private citizen, he must conduct himself in a manner that respects the rights and privacy of others by the law.”