‘I am On Ground And Not On Exile’ –  Philip Shaibu Says As He Resumes Duty As Edo Deputy Gov, Inspects Projects 

Philip Shaibu, embattled Edo State Deputy Governor, on Monday, says as deputy governor he is doing his work and that he is fully on ground and not on exile.

Alluding to Governor Godwin Obaseki who reported to have left Nigeria on terminal vacation abroad, Shaibu said that he was the new sheriff in town.

The deputy governor spoke after he met with the Edo State Commissioner of Police and contractors, dismissing claims of violating a court order in the inspection of the state government owned Raddisson Blu Hotel on Golf Course Road as well as Central Road and Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) all in Benin City

Shaibu stated that he won’t respond to “people in exile,” referencing Obaseki’s post-election vacation while responding to claim by Edo State Commissioner Information and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikhare that the inspection was in clear violation of a court order following his impeachment.

The deputy governor retorted with a dismissive wave of the hand, saying that he would not respond to people in exile, a veiled reference to Governor Obaseki, who hurriedly went on vacation, following the defeat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded governorship election.

Insisting that he had since resumed duties following his reinstatement by Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, he maintained that he holds an elective position like the governor, citing two certificates of return, and differentiated his office from Obaseki’s.

He said: “The issue of reinstatement should be a thing of the past. I don’t think we should be talking about it. Judgement has been made. We should move forward. The issue is if i can work with Obaseki. Can I work with him? I can work with him but he cannot work with me.

“The Office of the Deputy Governor is not an office under Obaseki. It’s an office created by the Constitution. You should understand the difference between the Office of the Governor and Office of the Deputy Governor and the Constitutionality of the office.

“I am deputy governor and my role is clearly defined. There was never a time I was never a deputy governor. It’s an elective and not an appointive position. I have my certificate of return. I have two certificates of return.

“My own duty as deputy governor is to discharge my duties as deputy governor. I have come to inspect what is going on here at the museum. We went round and to other projects. Administratively, there are issues that have to be sorted out.

“There are administrative issues at Raddisson Blu which have to be sorted out. It’s work and work. In the next six weeks, we have to put things in proper perspective so that the next sheriff in town will know where we are. I am doing my work as deputy governor. I am on ground and not on exile. A new sheriff is in town and we must handover to him. That’s where we are. I am doing my work as deputy governor of Edo State.”