The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has expressed shock over the allegations made by Governor Godwin Obaseki that he is planning a coup to remove him from power.
Recall that Obaseki had on Friday alleged that his deputy has a desperate ambition to become the next governor of the state, and he is exploring every possible option to achieve his aim.
Reacting to the allegations, the deputy governor said it is unimaginable to contemplate a coup against a man who has given him so much latitude to operate, adding that the claims were not only baseless and not true.
Shaibu, who was quoted to have made these known during a meeting with his personal aides on Saturday morning, pledged his loyalty to the governor, saying that he would never betray his principal or even plan a coup against him.
The Edo politician alleged the attempts by fifth columnists to widen the imaginary gulf between him and the governor in a selfish attempt to feather their own nests.
According to him, political jobbers sold the coup dummy to the governor and his ‘elder brother’ in order to cause more crisis between the two leaders so they could profit from it.
He said: “I believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration, and that as a testament to this, myself and Governor Obaseki have worked tirelessly together to deliver on the promises they made to the good people of Edo State.
“Our achievements in various sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation, are a testament to this collective effort and the synergy between their offices.
“As the Deputy Governor, my role is to support and complement the Governor’s agenda and not to undermine it.
“I have consistently advocated for policies and initiatives that align with this administration’s goals and aspirations. It is disheartening to see such baseless allegations being propagated, as they only serve to distract the administration from its primary objective of serving the people of Edo State.”
I Remain An Unrepentant Democrat
Shaibu said he remains an unrepentant democrat who believes in the democratic process and respects the mandate given to Governor Obaseki and his humble self by the people of Edo State.
The deputy governor added that the idea that he would consider a ‘coup’ to overthrow a democratically elected government is not only absurd but also deeply offensive.
The deputy governor urged the media and the public not to pay much attention to the allegations while he encouraged all to focus on the issues that truly matter to the people of the state.
“Governor Obaseki and I are committed to the continued development of Edo State. We are united in our determination to build a prosperous and inclusive society.
“I call on all well-meaning individuals to reject these divisive narratives and join in the quest to transform Edo State into a model of sustainable development and good governance.
“Edo state PDP politicians should embrace peace and seek unity to fight the common enemy”, one of his aides who was at the meeting quoted him as saying.
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