Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki has allocated the office of his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, in Government House, Benin to Alaghodaro as secretariat.

This is contrary to Obaseki’s claim of renovating the one-storey building.

Alaghodaro, a Benin catch phrase meaning progress or moving forward, is an annual investment drive by Edo State Government, which is Obaseki’s initiative.

In a leaked memo on Thursday dated September 18, 2023, Edo Governor asked the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, to “immediately” allocate the deputy governor’s office building to the trustees of Alaghodaro summit as their Secretariat.

The chairman of Alaghodaro, through its secretary, had written to Obaseki for a permanent secretariat building to aid planning and logistics for the 2023 summit holding in the second week of November.

According to Edo Governor ‘s leaked memo, the office space closest to the venue of the summit, the New Festival Hall of Government House, which until few days ago, was occupied by Shaibu, should be allocated to the board of trustees of the Alaghodaro summit, expected to attract potential investors from different parts of Nigeria.

Shaibu was pushed out of Government House, and allocated new office at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin with a bold inscription “Office of the Deputy Governor, No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin City,” at a location not far from the Government House.

Conspicuously at the entrance of the one-storey building is an unveiled inauguration plaque, with this inscription: “Edo State Public Procurement Agency – This building was commissioned by His Excellency, The Comrade Governor, Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, mni, OON, Edo State Governor, on Tuesday, 16th December, 2014.”

Shaibu’s aides and civil servants attached to his office moved two weeks ago in line with the directive of Edo Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa.

On September 5, Shaibu withdrew his anti-impeachment suit with reference number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023 but remains determined to succeed Obaseki on November 12, 2024. (The Nation, but headline rejigged)

Update news