The gulf between Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, widened on Monday because the deputy governor claimed that he was denied the usage of the state’s official autos on the Abuja Liaison Workplace to move him to Auchi, the headquarters of Etsako West Native Authorities Space of the state.
Shaibu, who spoke on the 2024 version of the yearly Auchi Day celebration held on the Palace of the Otaru of Auchi, described the event as “an try and ridicule the Workplace of the Deputy Governor.”
The deputy governor burdened that the “ugly scenario” was not about him as a person, however concerning the workplace, which he famous have to be preserved and revered.
Shaibu, who had in December final yr introduced that he had not obtained any allocation to his workplace for six months operating, specifically talked about the State Authorities Liaison Officer in Abuja, Deacon Festus Osaigbovo, as the federal government official who denied him the usage of the official autos from Abuja to Auchi, within the foundation of non-availability of gasoline and Hilux vam to convey his safety.
The Liaison Officer, in keeping with the embattled deputy governor, nevertheless, opted to help him (Shaibu) to rent a Sports activities Utility Car (SUV) at a price of N250,000.
“I referred to as the Liaison Officer to supply autos to take me to Auchi to be a part of this yr’s version of Auchi Day Celebration. Sadly, he began giving me all types of excuses as to why he couldn’t present the autos.
“He talked about gasoline, non-availability of a Hilux for my safety, and ended up saying he can solely help me to rent a SUV to take me to Auchi, the fee at which he put at N250,000.
“Nonetheless, I managed to be in Auchi as a result of I used to be decided to be a part of this celebration. It’s a unhappy commentary as a result of as a authorities, we must always imbibe the spirit of respecting the establishment slightly than attempting to ridicule them.
“We’re right here at the moment as authorities officers, we will not be right here tomorrow however the establishment stays for generations but unborn,” Shaibu bemoaned.
When contacted, Osaigbovo denied the allegation, saying he didn’t solely present autos for the deputy governor, he included a protocol officer to be within the entourage from Abuja to Auchi.
Osigbovo additionally put the mentioned protocol officer on the decision, and the latter didn’t solely affirm that the wanted logistics have been offered, however hinted that the autos, whereas on their method again to Abuja, developed faults, which he added had been fastened and have been about leaving Okene to proceed the journey again to Abuja.
“It isn’t true. I even despatched a protocol officer to accompany them on the journey,” Osaigbovo added.
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