From Moshood karim
In the realm of Edo State politics, Governor Godwin Obaseki’s relentless efforts to impede his Deputy Rt. Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu’s political aspirations ahead of the PDP primary election in February 2024 have long been a matter of public knowledge.
Despite these attempts, it appears that Shaibu’s resolve continues to intensify with each day. However, recent signing of the Edo State 2024 Appropriation Bill into law has shed on a new strategy by the governor to control activities of the Deputy Governor’s office in preparation for the upcoming governorship primaries.
A Weaponized Appropriation Bill
It has come to the attention of Uptown Press that the recently signed Edo State 2024 Appropriation Bill serves as yet another weapon aimed directly at Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and the Office of the Deputy Governor.
This strategic manoeuvre seeks to keep a vigilant eye on their activities in the lead-up to the 2024 governorship primaries.
Insider reports reveal that the appropriation bill has caused an eruption of tension among lawmakers, with some even resorting to verbal altercations and near-physical confrontations during an executive session. These heated exchanges emerged as a result of the perceived unfair distribution of funds within the bill.
At the plenary, Speaker Hon. Blessing Agbebaku allegedly disregarded the pleas of his colleagues to address the unjust allocation, thereby disregarding the principles of an unbiased parliamentary system.
Upon closer scrutiny, the budget presented by Governor Obaseki to the State House of Assembly reveals a significant discrepancy in the allocation of funds. Shockingly, the Office of the Deputy Governor is granted a meagre sum of N300 million, while the Office of the Secretary to the State Government receives a substantial N8 billion, and the Office of the Governor is allocated a staggering N19 billion.
The Edo State 2024 Budget stands as a testament to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s unwavering determination to suppress Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu’s political aspirations. Despite the unanticipated resilience displayed by Shaibu, the appropriation bill serves as a strategic tool aimed at monitoring and constructing barriers around the Deputy Governor’s office in the build-up to the 2024 governorship primaries.
Edo 2024 Budget: A Political Missile Targeting the Deputy Governor
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