Governor Godwin Obaseki has defended his security details for blocking his deputy, Philip Shaibu, from accessing him at a church service within the Government House.
The governor stated that the personnel of the Department of State Service (DSS) were doing their job of safeguarding him.
Drama had ensued at the church service to mark the 32nd anniversary of the creation of Edo State on Sunday, August 27, 2023, as a security details attached to Obaseki, stopped the deputy governor from approaching his principal.
It was gathered that Shaibu was not invited to the church service held in the Government House in Benin, the Edo State capital.
The deputy governor, however, made a move to access and greet his principal but as he approached, Obaseki who was seated beside his wife, Betsy, and Charles Aniagwu, the representative of the Delta State Governor, was stopped within two metres of the governor.
Governor Obaseki looked the other way as Shaibu explained himself to the security operative who firmly but in a friendly tone kept the deputy governor away.
Shaibu later returned to his seat as the service continued.
Face-off: You can’t greet Obaseki, DSS blocks deputy governor
Obaseki’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Andrew Okungbowa, defended his principal on the treatment meted out to Shaibu.
He said: “Whatever happened at the church service was not at the behest of the governor, neither was he aware what the security aides were doing. In fact, the security aides were doing their job. Besides, the governor was not aware that the deputy was coming to greet him.
“The church is a public event, so the security aides had a duty to safeguard their principal.”
Obaseki and Shaibu had been in frosty relationship over the governorship ambition of the deputy which the governor is not in support.
Meanwhile, Shaibu has pledged absolute loyalty to the governor.
Speaking with journalists at the venue, the deputy governor described Obaseki as his elder brother.
He said: “My loyalty to Edo governor remains absolute. I see that everybody is doing solidarity. I am also in solidarity with the governor. I am also declaring my unalloyed solidarity and loyalty to the governor.
“If I have issues with him (Obaseki), it is better settled at home and not in the media. I am well brought up.”
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