By DADA AYOKHAI
An Akoko Edo think tank ,The Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, MAAP, has waded in the recent altercation between Philip Shaibu and Omobayo Marvelous, two former Deputy Governors from Edo North who served under Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In a press statement issued and signed by Dr Bode Ekundayo, National Coordinator of the movement which felt the clash between the two former deputy Governors ought not to have occured, said the confrontation was brought to limelight when Shaibu disputed Omobayo’s legitimacy as a former deputy governor at the former deputy Governors forum recently held in Abuja .
During the altercation, Shaibu was said to have acted like a judge delivering judgement ‘the guy [referring to Omobayo] was never a Deputy Governor,’ that he got a High Court judgment nullifying his impeachment.”
” His Excellency Marvellous Omobayo instantly stood up to counter him, declaring in strong and loud terms that he was appointed a Deputy Governor, served as a Deputy Governor and the matters arising therefrom are now subjudice in the Appeal Court of Nigeria.”
The situation escalated into a verbal altercation, disrupting the conference proceedings which was later resolved.
According to Dr Ekundayo, it’s disturbing that shortly after the altercation between the duo, Edo State Government issued a press release accusing Omobayo of withholding government’s property and gave him a seven-day ultimatum to return the properties.
The group sees this development as suspicious, hinting at a possible connection between the altercation and the government’s action, likening it to a situation where “the owl cried in the night and something happened to the child at dawn.”
’Although the State Government insulated the release in the language of avowed commitment to probity and accountability, the coincidence and resemblance of the altercation in Abuja and the press release are too uncanny for any critical mind to miss.”
The group also expressed concern over the use of derogatory language by both Philip Shaibu, who referred to Omobayo as “the chap” and claimed he was never a Deputy Governor, and the Edo State Government’s press release, which described Omobayo as a “former illegitimate Deputy Governor.”
The movement highlighted that, Philip Shaibu has been seeking to enforce a court judgment in his favour, nullifying his removal from office, but has been unable to do so through legal means. Instead, Shaibu has resorted to extra-judicial methods, with his reaction at the conference being a recent example.
The group questioned the logic behind Shaibu and Omobayo engaging in a physical altercation and shouting match, suggesting that this approach is unlikely to resolve the matter.
The Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People dug into the archives to highlight the facts surrounding the issue.
They pointed out that: Shaibu was impeached,. Omobayo became a replacement from April 2024 to November 2024 and emphasized that the court will ultimately determine the legality of Shaibu’s impeachment and Omobayo’s appointment, the judicial process should be allowed to run its course.
”We urge all the actors in this case and Edo Government to avoid anything that could heat up the polity to distract Governor OKPEBHOLO’s altruistic focus and set Edo North Senatorial District along sub ethnic divides, because Shaibu and Omobayo are our illustrious sons and so people could begin to interpret this development from the prisms of sub ethnic divides and political vengeance, which will not augur well for our political future. As we say in politics, friends today, enemies tomorrow.
”These two deputies started as lovely friends and brothers, something most people may not be aware of. Today, they are flexing their muscles.
”We predict now, and mark you, they will yet work together tomorrow. Both of them are potential Senators, Ministers, Governors and, perhaps, Presidents.
So, Shaibu should ‘coolu, coolu temper,’ and Omobayo should continue to be resilient
Akoko Edo Think Tank Urges Calm Amid Shaibu, Omobayo’s Tension
