The reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has declared that he remains the number two citizen of the state.

Shaibu, who was recently reinstated by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja after his impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly, said he has resumed as the deputy governor of the state and recalled all the aides in his office.

He said this in Benin, the Edo State capital, on Friday, July 19, 2024, noting that he would be working from home to prevent any confrontation.

He said: “I have resumed and recalled all my staff. I will be working from private residence to prevent any confrontation.

“I remain the deputy governor. All salaries and entitlement will be paid.”

Shaibu added that Thursday’s gun attack on him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, was an assassination attempt allegedly orchestrated by the state governor, Godwin Obaseki.

Shaibu said he was taken aback by the attack that claimed the life of a police officer.

Policeman killed as gunmen attack Shaibu, Okpebholo’s convoy in Edo

He noted that he had in the last one year avoided many calls for a protest over his ordeal to forestall any kind of confrontation with the state government and its agents.

The Edo State Government had, through the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Project, Crusoe Osagie, blamed Shaibu for the attack.

The state government said Shaibu allegedly mobilised armed thugs to wait for him at the Benin Airport.

Shaibu, however, said he found the allegation funny, querying the logic in him mobilising thugs to attack him, leading to the killing of a police officer in his convoy.

The deputy governor further disclosed that he had instituted a N50 billion suit against Governor Obaseki, the commissioner, and the media aide for defaming his character.

He slammed the state government for issuing a statement on the judgement, which he said was not reviewed, adding that there were many gaps in the administration of the state.

Shaibu added that the judgement reinstating him was declarative and had to be carried out before an appeal could be entertained.

Shaibu said: “I can tell you that Thursday’s attack was planned by the state governor to assassinate me. The governor vowed to destroy me when I remained resolute to vie for the position of the governor.

“They said I was the one who planned the attack but I came in peacefully from Abuja to the state capital. Why were the armed thugs laying ambush for me? Were they expecting a visitor?

“I have already instituted a N50 billion suit against the governor, Nehikhare, and Osagie for defamation. They will be served next week.”

The Star