Behind The Scene As Obaseki Tells Security Risks In Shaibu’s Base

Outgoing Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, says there are security challenges in the political base of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.

He attributes this development to reports from the State Security Council meeting for the month of October 2024.

“Other issues highlighted included the unauthorized collection of revenue, peddling of hard drugs, and security challenges in Okpella, in the Edo North axis of the state. The relevant security agencies assured that appropriate measures would be taken to address these concerns,” Obaseki disclosed in a social media narrative on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

Okpella is the political base of Shaibu, who is involved in a running battle that saw him impeached from office, make a return on the platform of another political party, and ensure Obaseki’s preferred candidate did not win the 2024 Edo gubernatorial election.

Shaibu was impeached in April 2024 for refusing to drop his ambition to succeed Obaseki. He switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC), overturned his impeachment in court, and gave his all to ensure that Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—and Obaseki’s choice—did not win the Saturday, October 21, 2024, Edo gubernatorial election.

Detailing a specific plan to handle the “security challenges” in his deputy’s political base and the projected rise in crime in the “ember” months, Obaseki disclosed that “additionally, Council resolved that, following the conclusion of the election, the Edo State Vigilante Network will resume operations, and peace and order must be restored, particularly in light of the anticipated rise in accidents and criminal activities during the ’ember’ months.”

Shaibu has, however, kicked against Obaseki’s move to return the Edo State Vigilante Network.

The Deputy Governor took his opposition to the State Commissioner of Police, Nemo Edwin-Imo, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

After a closed-door meeting, he told journalists why he informed the Commissioner of Police that the Edo Vigilante Service should not resume.

Among other things, Shaibu declared, “The Edo vigilante that we have as constituted today is to cause mayhem to political opponents.”

He further alleged, “As the Deputy Governor of Edo State, I have security reports—both official and unofficial—so I am aware that the governor and his team want to get them (vigilante) back to use them to cause disharmony in the state and go after APC members that are protesting.”

Before things went south between them, Obaseki and Shaibu worked together to “politically take down” their political godfather, Adams Oshiomhole, in the 2020 Edo gubernatorial election.

They left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to secure another term as Governor and Deputy on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Their fallout forced Shaibu—a former state and federal lawmaker—to rejoin Oshiomhole in the APC and deny Obaseki the ambition to install Ighodalo as his successor.

Obaseki will leave office as Governor on November 11, 2024, for APC’s Monday Okpebholo to take over reigns of Government.