The row between Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, and his principal, Godwin Obaseki, appeared to have worsened yesterday as the deputy governor’s media crew was denied access during a colloquium to celebrate 60th anniversary of the Midwest Referendum, held in the state capital, Benin City.
The scene was the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, where leaders of Edo and Delta states and other stakeholders had gathered.
Shaibu’s media crew was however restrained from covering activities. All efforts by the deputy governor to ensure otherwise were futile, as security operatives declared they were acting on “instruction from above.”
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government, yesterday, disbanded the media crew attached to the office of the deputy governor, with a directive to the deputy governor to henceforth request the Ministry of Communication and Orientation for media coverage of activities of his office.
In a statement signed by Chris Nehikhare, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, the state government blamed the incident on the action of some journalists, who claimed they were in the media crew, and had attempted to force their way into the hall, where the governor and other dignitaries were seated.
“This act was contrary to the accreditation protocol that had been established for media coverage of the event. The orchestrated and stage-managed walkout and disruption is highly regrettable,”Nehikhare said.
The development followed related drama on Sunday, when security men stopped a bid by Shaibu to exchange pleasantries with Obaseki during an interdenominational thanksgiving service to mark the 32nd anniversary of Edo State.
Speaking after the incident, Shaibu had pledged allegiance to Obaseki, saying: “My loyalty to the governor remains absolute. I see that everybody is in solidarity. I am also in solidarity with the governor. I am also declaring my unalloyed loyalty to the governor and nothing more.
“As for the issues that were around town when I was away, I really would not want to talk about them, especially about the governor. He is my elder brother and boss, and I don’t think I should talk about anything. And if I have issues with him, I think it is better settled at home and not in the media.”
Reacting to the incident at the thanksgiving service, Obaseki’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Andrew Okungbowa, said: “Whatever happened at the church service was not at the behest of the governor, nor was he aware of what security aides were doing. In fact, the aides were doing their job. Besides, the governor was not aware that the deputy was coming to greet him.”
