The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has reiterated his readiness to hand over office to the newly elected governor and deputy governor of the state, whether or not the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, is present.
Shaibu made this statement on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday.
This comes amid rumors that Obaseki is nowhere to be found in the state.
DAILY POST had reported that Obaseki, on Monday, granted pardons to 10 inmates with less than one year left to serve in correctional centers in the state.
Obaseki ended his tenure as governor on Monday and will today hand over power to the incoming governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo.
Okpebholo’s emergence came after his victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state, where he defeated his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo.
However, as news of Obaseki’s alleged absence from the state spreads, Shaibu expressed his satisfaction at handing over to Okpebholo and his deputy.
“I am deeply happy that today has come and I am going to be handing over to a new deputy governor.
“The governor and I have been apart. He does not communicate with me, and we don’t talk. It is very unfortunate. I have not seen him at the government house in the last four days. Normally, if the governor is not there, the deputy governor will hand over. So whether he is there or not, I am ready to hand over,” he said.
Recounting his experience working with the outgoing governor, Shaibu said that although he was loyal to Obaseki, he endured a lot during the administration.
He said, “Yes, I am back in the APC. I am one of the very young guys that started the APC in Edo State. Because of loyalty, I went with my governor. I decamped from the APC to the PDP not because I wanted to, but because I was loyal to Obaseki. I left the APC because of him, and I am back at the APC because of him.
“I thank him for the opportunity to be able to reunite with my father, Oshiomhole, who I quarreled with because of Obaseki.”
Edo: I’ll hand over to Okpebholo whether Obaseki is around or not – Shaibu
