The deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has apologised to his principal, Godwin Obaseki, and asked for the latter’s forgiveness if he has offended him unknowingly to enable them finish well in office.

Shaibu has been at loggerhead with Governor Obaseki over his ambition to contest the 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

The governor recently relocated his deputy to another office outside the Government House while his media crew was also disbanded.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after his investiture as the grand patron of the Catholic Men’s Organisation (CMO) of the Catholic Archdioceses of Benin on Thursday, September 21, 2023, Shaibu said: “Like I have always said, I am a loyal servant and there is nothing that has changed.

“I took a vow to support my governor and that is what I will do. As you can see the Catholic people are here.

“I can only wish that the relationship we had is sustained. I prayed and know that in the next few weeks it will come back.

“I am missing my governor and I prayed that God will touch my governor’s heart and the heart of those that are trying to come in between us to know that I mean well.

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“If there is any mistake I have made, I am just human and did not act out of wickedness because I am not wicked and I have a clean heart.”

Shaibu further called on the governor to forgive him so as to develop the state together with him.

The deputy governor added: “I used this medium to appeal to Mr Governor that if there is any mistake I have made or if there was anything wrong that I have done that I do not know of, he should please forgive me so that we can develop our state together.

“So, Mr Governor, if there is anything wrong you feel I have done please, I am sorry, and I need us to work together to finish well and strong because that is my prayer for you.”

He, however, stated that he has resumed in his new office as directed by Governor Obaseki.

Earlier, the CMO of the Archdiocese of Benin City said they came to honour Shaibu as the Grand Patron of the organisation.

The President of the Archdiocese of Benin CMO, Austin Odigie, said the decision to honour him was as a result of his commitment to God’s work in the church.

Odigie said: “The Catholic Men’s Organization of the Archdiocese of Benin came to inform you that the men in church have come to honour you as our Grand Patron.

“We have seen your commitment to all activities in the church. You have brought yourself low to the level of all of us in the church.

“You are the only deputy governor who served mass during father’s day celebration. No other deputy governor has been captured serving mass.”

The Star