Obaseki raises alarm over plot to invade Edo Govt House September 

The Edo State Government, over the weekend, said it has uncovered plans allegedly perfected by the reinstated Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu, to invade the State Government House on Monday, September 30, to enforce his reinstatement by the court.

The government called for caution from all parties, adding that it has filed a stay of execution appeal challenging Justice J. K. Omotosho’s ruling reinstating Shaibu.

The Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on media projects, Mr Crusoe Osagie, stated this in a statement on Saturday evening.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police and all well-meaning Nigerians “to prevail on Shaibu to refrain from his devious plot, as it is a clear recipe for chaos, given the fact that a policeman was killed the last time he attempted such an action.”

“We want to draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police to the intelligence we have gathered regarding a planned move by the erstwhile Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, to forcefully enter the Edo State Government House to purportedly enforce the ruling of Justice J. K. Omotosho.

“The stay of execution is still pending at the Court of Appeal, and we appeal to the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the state does not descend into anarchy because of the ambition of one man. The last time Shaibu attempted to do this, it led to the death of a police officer. We believe that one death is too many, and it is only wise for us to prevent a repeat of such.”

Osagie disclosed that the government’s lawyers have written to the IGP and other stakeholders, highlighting that “all actions relating to the enforcement and/or execution of the judgement of Honourable Justice J. K. Omotosho in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 should be stayed pending the hearing and determination of the motion for a stay of execution/injunction pending appeal, so as not to foist a situation of helplessness on the Court of Appeal and render the order nugatory in the case that the application is granted.”

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He added that the appeal case raises special circumstances and substantial arguable grounds, in respect of which the court ought to grant the application. This will ensure that the plaintiff/respondent (Philip Shaibu) does nothing to cause a breach of peace or a breakdown of law and order in Benin City and Edo State.

Reacting, Shaibu’s Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, in a statement on Sunday, denied the government’s allegations, insisting that the government should accept the fact that the 2024 governorship election had been concluded.

He said, “There is no iota of truth in it, please. They should know that the election has been lost and won. This is cheap blackmail and propaganda.”