Letter approving Shaibu’s office relocation surfaces

The drama over the relocation of Edo State deputy governor, comrade Philip Shaibu’s office outside the government house may have come to an end as a letter to that effect, signed by the Secretary to the  State Government, Osarodion Ogie, surfaced on Tuesday morning.

Shaibu 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.

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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.

The memo, with the heading: “Relocation of Office Accommodation”, reads: “I write to inform you that His Excellency, the Governor, has approved the relocation of your office accommodation to No 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, G.R.A., Benin City.

“You are therefore requested to ensure your compliance in line with Mr Governor’s approval, please.”

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.