The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has accepted the public apology made by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, noting that as a person of faith, he was under obligation to accept the apology. The governor also expressed his hope that the rift between them would be resolved and that they would work together to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State.
Shaibu had earlier apologised to Obaseki on Thursday, September 21, 2023, after his investiture by the Catholic Men Organisation Nigeria (CMN) at his residence in Benin City. He admitted that he had made some mistakes that caused discomfort to the governor and asked for his forgiveness. He also pledged his loyalty and support to Obaseki and said he was missing him.
Obaseki, in a letter titled “Re: Public Apology By The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu”, said that he was touched by Shaibu’s apology and that he trusted that it was genuine and sincere. He also noted that Shaibu had taken some contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills and urged him to guide his proxies to act in accordance with his piety.
The governor further called on Shaibu to put an end to the rhetorics that had created an impression of crisis in the state and to focus on the remaining 12 months of their administration. He said that he wanted their relationship to be restored and that they should work together to finish strong and serve the people of Edo State.
The letter reads in part: “I have noted the public apology made by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu. This apology followed an aberrant behaviour that contradicted what the people of Edo State stand for.
To name a few, the Deputy Governor needlessly filed unfounded petitions in the Nigerian courts restraining me, the State House of Assembly and Security agencies from a non-existent impeachment process, followed by repeated breaches of protocol; unwarranted and unprovoked attacks in the media on my person and the State Government. The media frenzy as a result of the above and more, provided an impression of crises that has been precarious and distasteful to Edo people in the State and across the world.
Although these unwarranted provocations caused me severe personal discomfort, as a person of faith, I am under obligation to accept this apology because as they say, ‘to err is human, to forgive is divine.’
In good faith, I trust that the public apology as expressed by the Deputy Governor is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills. I also enjoin the Deputy Governor to guide his proxies to act in accordance with his piety.
It is my sincere hope and that of my other colleagues in government and all well-meaning Edo people, that these rhetorics will be put to an end forthwith to enable this administration finish strong and deliver the dividends of democracy to the greatest number of Edo people over this final twelve (12) months.”
The letter was signed by Obaseki and dated September 28, 2023.
The rift between Obaseki and Shaibu had been brewing for some time over an alleged move by the deputy governor to succeed Obaseki after his tenure ends next year. The governor had reportedly barred Shaibu from accessing the Government House and relocated him to another office at Osadebey Avenue. Shaibu had also accused Obaseki of being dictatorial and insensitive to the plight of the people.
However, with this latest development, it seems that both leaders are willing to bury the hatchet and work together for the common good of Edo State.
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