Edo state Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, has insisted that against claims that he came to Government House, Osadebey Avenue, to make trouble on Monday, he was there to resume duties in his Government House office.
According to him, no official notification authorizing the alleged relocation of his office has been transmitted to him.
Shaibu made the clarification while reacting to the refusal of security operatives to allow him into the premises.
He disclosed that while civil servants in his office were notified of the said relocation, he was not notified as demanded by law.
A letter to that effect, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, surfaced this morning.
The deputy governor had denied knowledge of the relocation of his office on Monday, when he was locked out, noting that he had not been served a letter to quit the government house premises for another location.
The embattled deputy governor also said that only the civil servants were instructed through a letter to move into the new office.
The letter by Ogie addressed to the deputy governor, stated that Governor Godwin Obaseki had directed that the Shaibu should relocate to the new office address.
The letter, dated September 15, 2023, was received by a Permanent Secretary in the office of the deputy governor, and acknowledged on Monday, September 18, 2023.
Shaibu fell out with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, when the deputy governor earlier in August, instituted a suit in an Abuja Federal High Court, seeking the protection of the court from an alleged attempt by the governor to use the Edo State House of Assembly and others to impeach him.
The governor swiftly reacted to the suit by disbanding the media crew of the deputy governor and relocating his office from the main Government House.
Some notable citizens of the state from the political and religious circles, had three weeks ago intervened, which made Shaibu withdraw the case from court.
However, any hope that the rift would be resolved was dented on Monday when the gate leading to Shaibu’s office was locked and he was prevented from gaining access to the building
