Obaseki, Shaibu in war of words over alleged looting of Edo properties

Barely 40 days before the end of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, the state government and reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu are in a war of words over the alleged looting of public properties by political appointees.

DAILY POST reports that officials of the state government and Philip Shaibu disagreed over a circular issued by Shaibu to permanent secretaries, departments, and agencies, urging them to guard against the looting of government properties by political appointees.

The circular, dated October 4, 2024, and personally signed by the reinstated deputy governor, warned that they would be held accountable by the incoming administration for any missing assets under their watch.

According to him, “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.

However, responding, Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, urged the Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments and Agencies to disregard the circular.

Osagie, who stated that Shaibu lacked the power and authority to issue directives or warnings to Permanent Secretaries, noted that he remains impeached as the deputy governor of Edo State until the determination of the court.

“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.

“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.

DAILY POST reported that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration will end on November 12, 2024, while Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will assume office as the new governor of the state.

Daily Post