The Edo State government on Sunday alleged that Philip Shaibu had concluded plans to invade the Edo State Government House on Monday to enforce his reinstatement.
Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, denied the claims, saying, it is a “propaganda and cheap blackmail.”
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Government, Crusoe Osagie, urged the Inspector General of Police and all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on Shaibu to refrain from “his devious plot” as it was a clear recipe for chaos.
He said, “We want to draw the attention of the Inspector General of Police to the intelligence we have gathered regarding a planned move by the erstwhile Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu to forcefully enter the Edo State Government House to purportedly enforce the ruling of Justice J. K. Omotosho.
“The stay of execution is still pending at the Court of Appeal and we appeal to the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the state does not descend into anarchy because of the ambition of one man.
“The last time Shaibu attempted to do this, it led to the death of a police officer. We believe that is one death too many and it is only wise for us to prevent a repeat of such.”
He further said, “All actions relating to the enforcement and/or execution of the judgment of Honourable Justice J. K. Omotosho in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 be stayed pending the hearing and determination of the Motion for Stay of Execution/Injunction Pending Appeal so as not to foist a situation of helplessness on the Court of Appeal and render the order nugatory.”
However, Shaibu’s Chief Press Secretaryu, Musa Ebomhiana, in a statement said there was no iota of truth in the government’s statement.
He said Governor Godwin Obaseki should come to terms with the defeat of his candidate in the September 21 governorship election, instead of resorting to “cheap blackmail cum propaganda.”