Barely 40 days before Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration comes to an end, a fresh dispute has emerged between the state government and reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. The clash revolves around allegations of public property looting by political appointees, PulseNets has learned.
PulseNets reported that the disagreement arose over a circular issued by Shaibu, urging Permanent Secretaries, Departments, and Agencies to prevent looting. The circular, dated October 4, 2024, and personally signed by Shaibu, emphasized that these officials would be held accountable for any missing assets under their watch by the incoming administration.
Shaibu stated in the circular, “As our administration ends in a few weeks, I have issued a stern warning to Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to guard against the looting of government properties by political appointees, as they would be held accountable by the incoming administration for any assets missing under their watch.
“The Permanent Secretaries and Directors must know that it is their responsibility to protect the properties because these political aides (Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Special Advisers/Assistants, and Senior Special Advisers/Assistants) are government appointees who are also leaving on November 11.
“So, the failure of Permanent Secretaries and heads of these MDAs to act means they will be held responsible for giving an account of their inventories. Removing fixed items and government properties is a crime and unacceptable.
“Permanent Secretaries and Heads of MDAs should, therefore, guard against such criminality or face consequences. All political appointees must equally desist from such actions, which may land them in trouble,” he said.
In response, Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, spoke to PulseNets, dismissing the circular. Osagie asserted that Shaibu lacked the authority to issue such directives, stating that Shaibu remains impeached until the court’s final decision.
“Our attention has been drawn to the very ridiculous statement purportedly signed by the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, in which he warned Permanent Secretaries and Heads of MDAs to guard against the looting of government properties by political appointees.
“We want to restate that Philip Shaibu remains impeached as the deputy governor of Edo State until the determination of the court and therefore lacks the power and authority to issue directives or warnings to Permanent Secretaries, Heads of MDAs, or any staff under the employ of the Edo State Government.
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“We urge all Edo workers to disregard the infantile ramblings of the impeached deputy governor and continue with their lawful duties without fear of intimidation and harassment while ensuring the delivery of quality and effective service to the people of Edo State,” he added.
PulseNets also reported that Governor Obaseki’s administration is set to end on November 12, 2024, with Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepared to take office as the new governor.
