21st September, 2023
By Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Governor Godwin Obaseki has directed the reallocation of the office of his deputy, Philip Shaibu, in a move seen as further humiliation of the number two man in Edo State.
The Governor directed the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, to reallocate Shaibu’s office for use as the secretariat of the annual summit of the state government, Alaghodaro.
The government had earlier relocated Shaibu’s office from the Government House to a building along Dennis Osadebe Avenue.
Although it was at first speculated that this was because the office was billed for repairs, it was later revealed to be connected with the ragging battle of the Edo political titans.
It would be recalled that Shaibu was stranded for several hours on Monday at the gate leading to the office when attempted to resume duty there but met it chained and padlocked.
The reallocation of the office was seen as a continuation of the humiliation of Shaibu by Obaseki.
According to a leaked memo dated 18 September 2023, the re-allocation is sequel to a request by the chairman of the Trustee of Alaghodaro to the Governor, through the SSG, for a secretariat close to the venue of the Summit.
Alaghodaro summit is organised yearly between November 11 and 12, in partnership with the private sector, to mark the anniversary of Governor Godwin Obaseki in office and showcase the progress being recorded in transforming the state into an investment haven.
It was gathered that the Chairman specifically requested for the former office of the Deputy Governor to aid the secretariat in its planning and logistics for this year’s Alaghodaro Summit, because of its proximity to the venue of the Summit.
Information on the memo further revealed that approval for the reallocation was granted with immediate effect.
But, it is pertinent to note that the secretariat of the annual event functioned from the precincts of the hall used for previous editions of the Summit.