Shaibu Resumes Work from Home, Give Reasons, Urges Staff to Rejoin
By Godfrey George and Adeyinka Adedipe
The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has informed Governor Godwin Obaseki that he has resumed his duties and will be working from home to avoid any confrontations. Shaibu also directed all his staff to resume their duties, assuring them that their salaries and entitlements would be paid in full.
“I have resumed work and recalled all my staff. I will be working from home to prevent any confrontation. I remain the deputy governor, and all salaries and entitlements will be paid,” Shaibu said in a statement on Friday.
Shaibu also denied any involvement in the attack in Benin on Thursday, which resulted in the death of a police inspector, Akor Onuh. The state government had accused him of orchestrating the attack at the Benin Airport. Shaibu expressed shock at the incident and emphasized that he had avoided calling for protests over the past year to prevent conflicts with the state government and its agents.
“They claimed I planned the attack, but I arrived peacefully from Abuja. Why were armed thugs waiting to ambush me? Were they expecting someone else?” Shaibu questioned. He announced he had filed a N5 billion defamation lawsuit against Governor Obaseki, Nehikhare, and Osagie, stating they would be served next week.
The Edo State government had accused Shaibu of inciting violence leading to Inspector Onuh’s death. Following a Federal High Court judgment reinstating Shaibu, which the state government appealed, Nehikhare reiterated that Shaibu remained impeached pending the appeal’s outcome.
“The filing of a stay of execution means the status quo is maintained. Therefore, Philip Shaibu remains impeached as the Deputy Governor of Edo State until the Appeal Court decides otherwise,” Nehikhare stated. He accused Shaibu of mobilizing armed thugs to create chaos in Benin City under the pretext of celebrating his reinstatement, describing the incident as a “blatant disregard for law and order.”
Nehikhare claimed Shaibu ignored warnings from the Commissioner of Police and proceeded into the city, causing widespread panic and destruction. The violence reportedly led to property damage, injuries to civilians and security operatives, and Inspector Onuh’s death. Nehikhare expressed condolences to the Nigerian Police Force and the deceased officer’s family.
The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party expressed shock over the violence and destruction, with state PDP Chairman Tony Aziegbemi criticizing the APC for allegedly instigating the chaos. Obaseki’s administration maintained that Shaibu’s reinstatement was invalid pending the appeal, while Shaibu insisted on his legal right to resume office.
On Friday, Shaibu reappointed Kingsley Ehigiamusoe as his Chief of Staff and approved the reappointment of Musa Ebomhiana as Chief Press Secretary, along with seven other appointments. In a statement issued by his CPS, Shaibu said the reappointments were effective immediately.
