From Moshood Karim
Benin City– The Edo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, has intensified efforts to retrieve over 20 government vehicles still in the possession of the former Deputy Governor, Comrade Phillip Shaibu.
This development follows Shaibu’s recent impeachment and subsequent replacement by Marvellous Omobayo Godwins, a former chieftain of the Labour Party (LP).
In a public notice issued on Tuesday and signed by the State Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, the government has demanded that Shaibu return the vehicles within seven days.
The notice, titled “Public Notice On Retrieval Of 22 Official Government Vehicles,” warns that security agencies are on standby to enforce the directive if Shaibu does not comply within the stipulated time frame.
The notice reads in part: “The Edo State Government hereby issues this notice directing the retrieval of official government vehicles allocated to the Office of the Deputy Governor, Edo State, which are currently in the custody of the former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu,” the notice stated. “The former Deputy Governor is by this notice given a seven-day ultimatum from the date of this publication to return the vehicles, as relevant security agencies have been put on alert to retrieve the vehicles after the expiration of the notice.”
This ultimatum marks the latest chapter in the ongoing political tension between Governor Obaseki and his former deputy. Shaibu was impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly following a fallout with the governor, allegedly over Shaibu’s ambition to run for governor.
The move to reclaim the vehicles underscores the escalating conflict and the government’s determination to enforce accountability and reclaim state resources.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on Shaibu’s response and the potential involvement of security forces in resolving the matter.
