Edo Crisis: Drama As Philip Shaibu Insists on Hand Over Whether Obaseki Is There or Not

• Philip Shuaibu, the deputy governor of Edo state, has declared readiness to transfer power to the incoming governor, Monday Okpebholo
• Shuaibu, who has been at loggerheads with his principal, said the transition will be smooth regardless of whether outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki is present
• The deputy governor spoke in response to rumours circulating that Obaseki was missing from the state, raising concerns about the handover process

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Philip Shuaibu, the deputy governor of Edo state, has expressed his readiness to hand over office to the newly elected governor and deputy governor of the state, whether the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki was present or not.

He spoke with Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, November 12.

Shuaibu’s made this assertion amid reports making rounds in the polity Obaseki was nowhere to be found in the state.

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Recall that declared the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared APC governorship candidate in Edo, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the Edo governorship election 2024.

According to INEC, the APC candidate polled 291,667 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, came second with 247,274 votes. Meanwhile, Labour Party's Olumide Akpata emerged third with 22,763 votes.

Interestingly, Governor Obaseki and the PDP candidate Ighodalo, have refused to accept the outcome of the election.

However, on Tuesday, Shuaibu said he was “deeply happy” to be handing over to Okpebholo and his deputy, with or without Obaseki.

He said:

“I am deeply happy that today has come and I am going to be handing over to a new deputy governor.

“The governor and I have been apart. He does not communicate with me and we don’t talk. It is very unfortunate. I have not been able to see him in the last four days. Normally, if the governor is not there, the deputy governor will hand over. So whether he is there or not, I am ready to hand over.”

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Read more about Edo crisis here:

• “What I’ll do if EFCC calls me,” Edo Gov Obaseki discloses days to handover
• Heavy security in Edo govt house over likelihood of Shaibu’s resumption, details emerge
• Shaibu finally declares loyalty to Obaseki

Okpebholo takes over from Obaseki

Meanwhile, Monday Okpebholo has officially been sworn in as the new governor of Edo state, taking over from outgoing governor Godwin Obaseki.

This historic transition was marked by a well-attended inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday, November 12, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital.

Alongside Okpebholo, Dennis Idahosa took the oath of office as the new deputy governor.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng