Security heightened at Gov’t House amid tensions over Philip Shaibu’s alleged planned Invasion

Security heightened at Gov’t House amid tensions over Philip Shaibu’s alleged planned Invasion

Security measures were significantly heightened on Monday morning at the Edo State Government House on Osadebey Avenue following concerns over an alleged plot by reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu to storm the government’s headquarters in Benin City with armed thugs.

Personnel from the Special Police Unit (SPU) were deployed at the entrance, restricting vehicle access and directing them to park several meters away from the gate.

This security reinforcement was prompted by speculation that Shaibu might attempt to return to office on the same day, raising fears of potential confrontations between his supporters and those of the current Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

In a statement on Sunday, Crusoe Osagie, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media Projects, urged the Inspector General of Police and concerned citizens to intervene and dissuade Shaibu from pursuing what he described as a “devious plot.”

Osagie warned that such actions could lead to chaos, recalling that a police officer was killed during a previous incident involving Shaibu.

However, Musa Ebomhiana, Chief Press Secretary to Shaibu, issued a statement refuting claims of any plans to invade the Government House.

He characterised Shaibu as a peace-loving individual committed to upholding the rule of law.

Ebomhiana said: “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.

“As it is today, in eyes of the law and in the eyes of the good people of Edo State, indeed, Nigerians, Philip Shaibu is the de jure and de facto Deputy Governor of Edo State. We need not fight or struggle for that which God has given us.

“Obaseki and his co-travellers should accept the fact that the good people of Edo State have spoken, and his godson, Asue Ighodalo, has been roundly rejected at the polls. Sadly, this reality is yet to dawn on them.

“Crusoe Osagie, the purveyor of the fake news is well known as an alarmist and propagandist who thrives on rumors and beer parlour gossips, with little or no respect for the ethics of our cherished profession, journalism. So, he has to be ignored.”