The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, was denied access to his old office at the Government House in Benin, the state capital, on Monday morning.
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Shaibu arrived at the Government House to find the gate leading to his office under lock and key.

During a phone call with an unknown individual, he stated that he had not received any formal communication from the governor’s office about the relocation of his office.

“Up till now, I don’t have any official communication that I should relocate. The only people that have official communication are my civil servants. The civil servants have official communication but I don’t. As I am speaking to you now, I am standing by the gate,” said Shaibu.

Last week, reports said there was a letter sent to Shaibu from the office of the Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, directing him to move his office to a new location at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin City.
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However, sources close to the deputy governor revealed that this new office was in a state of disrepair and required rehabilitation.

This development is the latest escalation in the power struggle between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The governor accused his deputy of plotting a coup against him and there have also been speculations about impeaching Shaibu, but the Edo Assembly has denied such.

During a recent event commemorating the state’s 32nd anniversary, Shaibu denied these allegations and publicly expressed his loyalty to Governor Obaseki.
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