Shaibu inspects projects as Deputy Governor, state government kicks

BENIN CITY – THE reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo state, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu on Monday defied statements from the state government as he inspected some ongoing projects like the multi-billion naira five-star Radisson Blu hotel, the ongoing Museum Of West African Arts (MOWAA), reconstruction of the Road in Okada Avenue and parts of Central Road where he said he would continue to work in that capacity.

But the state government in a statement warned Shiabu not to act in breach of extant laws to disrupt the process of governance and subject himself to the law at all times.

Speaking to journalists at the MOWAA site, Shaibu said though work was 80 per cent completed according to the contractor that he has his reservations about the siting of the project in the particular location while at Radisson, he said the scope of work is okay and that he wanted to be sure that all the major works under the outgoing government were going on fine.

Speaking about MOWAA, Shaibu said “Work is about 80 percent completed. It is fine but I have my reservation, this is supposed to be a Central Hospital for the people and not to build a museum here.”

On his status as deputy governor which the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration was saying he is not, he said “We should not respond to people in exile who release press releases because we are here. Anybody who wants to release a press release should come here and not be in exile and start releasing press statements. We should ignore them.

“I have since resumed because the issue of reinstatement should be a thing of the past. I don’t think we should be talking about it. Judgment has been made. We should move forward. The issue is if I can work with Obaseki, can I work with him? I can work with him but he cannot work with me.

“The office of the Deputy Governor is not an office under Obaseki. It is an office created by the Constitution. Until you understand the difference between the office of the Governor and the Office of the Deputy Governor and the Constitutionality of the office. I am deputy governor and my role is clearly defined. I will be going around in the next two weeks starting with Edo South, after then Central and then North to check what we have done. A new sheriff is in town and we must hand over to him. That’s where we are. I am doing my work as deputy governor of Edo State.

“My own duty as deputy governor is to discharge my duties as deputy governor. I have come to inspect what is going on here at the museum. We went around and to other projects. Administratively, some issues have to be sorted out. There are administrative issues at Radisson Blu which have to be sorted out. It is work and work. In the next six weeks, we have to put things in proper perspective so that the next sheriff in town will know where we are. I am doing my work as deputy governor. I am on the ground and not in exile.”

Meanwhile the statement by the Special Adviser on Media Projects to Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie said “Shaibu, just like any private citizen, can take a tour around the exceptional projects of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“We warn, however, that both Philip Shaibu and the security agencies should not carry out actions that violate the laws and the constitution.

“Shaibu should be patient and wait for the Appeal Court to hear his matter; he needs to learn to subject himself to the authority of the law.”

“The government enjoined the good people of Edo State to go about their lawful business, rest assured that the government will always ensure the protection of lives and property in line with extant laws in the State.”