Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Phillip Shaibu, have had a new clash, with reports suggesting that the governor locked the deputy governor out of his office.
Sources within the government house have confirmed that the Deputy Governor attempted to enter the Governor’s personal office along with his security aides.
The Deputy Governor arrived at the Office of the Governor early on Monday, looking to confront the governor. However, he was informed that the governor was not yet in the office. Despite this, he insisted on gaining access to the Governor’s personal office.
Security operatives tried to persuade him to go back and call the governor if he wished to see him, but he refused. Instead, he continued to push at the gate, causing a disturbance. Observers expressed concerns that he might physically confront the governor.
Another source explained that the gate to the Deputy Governor’s office and the main entrance to the building were locked with chains and heavy padlocks.
Shaibu and his aides waited for about an hour and then left. He reportedly made several attempts to contact the Governor, but he was unable to reach him.
Shaibu had discussions with the state Commissioner of Police and the State Director of the Department of State Services, alerting them to his situation. He also spoke with the Government House Camp Commandant, Ibrahim Babatunde, inquiring why he was locked out of his office.
Babatunde claimed it was a directive from above and suggested that the Chief Security Officer, Williams Wabba, could provide more information. When Shaibu contacted Wabba, he promised to come but did not arrive until the deputy governor had left.
