
The Edo State Government House in Benin City is currently under heightened security due to alleged plans by Philip Shaibu to resume his duties as Deputy Governor. This development follows a Federal High Court ruling that reinstated Shaibu after his impeachment by the State House of Assembly in March 2024.
Security measures have been significantly increased within the premises of the Government House on Dennis Osadabey Avenue. According to reports from ICMNEWS, vehicles, including those belonging to Government House staff, have been banned from entering Osadebe Avenue. Visitors and civil servants are now required to park their vehicles by the roadside and walk long distances to their offices. Men of the Nigeria Police and the state-owned Police Constabulary have set up roadblocks at the entrance gate.
The tension stems from a statement released by Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Government on Media Projects, who alleged that Shaibu had perfected plans to invade the Government House to enforce his reinstatement. "We want to draw the attention of the Inspector General of Police to the intelligence we have gathered regarding a planned move by Shaibu to forcefully enter the Edo State Government House to purportedly enforce the ruling of Justice J. K. Omotosho," Osagie stated. He further warned that such actions could lead to chaos, recalling that a police officer was killed during a previous attempt by Shaibu to enter the Government House.
In response, Shaibu has denied these allegations, asserting his commitment to peace and the rule of law. Through his media aide, Mr. Ebomhiana Musa, Shaibu stated, "We want to put it clearly here that, unlike Governor Godwin Obaseki, Philip Shaibu is a peace-loving man who firmly believes in the rule of law and would not want to shed innocent blood for whatever reason."
Civil servants expressed surprise at the heavy security presence. "We were surprised to see heavy security in and around the Government House on resumption at the office. Election has ended and we expected to see a very more peaceful state," some civil servants remarked anonymously.
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