Edo State Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu stated on Friday in Benin that he would be working from home to avoid any confrontations.
“I have resumed work, recalled all my staff, and will be working from a private residence to prevent any confrontation. I remain the deputy governor. All salaries and entitlements will be paid,” he said.
Shaibu claimed that Thursday’s gun attack on him and APC Governorship Candidate Sen. Monday Okpebholo was an assassination attempt allegedly orchestrated by the state government.
Reacting to the attack, Shaibu expressed shock over the incident, which resulted in the death of a police officer. He mentioned that he had avoided calls for protests over the past year to prevent confrontations with the state government and its agents.
The state government, through Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Chris Nehikhare and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Project Crusoe Osagie, blamed Shaibu for the mayhem, alleging that he mobilized armed thugs to wait for him at the Benin Airport.
Shaibu found the allegation absurd, questioning why he would mobilize thugs only to be attacked, leading to the death of a police officer in his convoy.
He also announced a ₦50 billion lawsuit against Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Commissioner, and the media aide for defamation of character. Shaibu criticized Nehikhare and Osagie for insisting he remained impeached without studying the court judgment.
He condemned the state government for commenting on a judgment they hadn’t reviewed, highlighting gaps in the state’s administration. Shaibu stated that the judgment reinstating him was declarative and had to be enforced before any appeal could be considered.
“I believe Thursday’s attack was planned by the state governor to assassinate me. The governor vowed to destroy me when I remained resolute in vying for the position of governor. They claim I planned the attack, but I arrived peacefully from Abuja to the state capital. Why were the armed thugs waiting for me? Were they expecting a visitor?
“I have already filed a ₦50 billion lawsuit against the governor, Nehikhare, and Osagie for defamation. They will be served next week,” Shaibu said.
