Governor Obaseki Disbands Shaibu’s Media Crew After Deputy Staged Walkout At Public Event

The Edo State Government has disbanded the media crew attached to the office of the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

This followed an incident at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, the state capital, on Monday.

SaharaReporters on Monday reported that the Department of State Services (DSS) denied Shaibu, access to his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

It had been reported that Shaibu was one of the guests who attended the church service to mark the 32nd anniversary of the creation of the state, held at the New Festival Hall of the Government House, Benin City, on Sunday.

The deputy governor stood up to greet Obaseki, but a DSS operative blocked him just a few metres away.
Obaseki, who was seated beside his wife, Betsy, and Charles Aniagwu, a former commissioner, reportedly looked away as Shaibu made futile attempts to talk his way out of the situation. When the security operative refused to budge, the deputy governor returned to his seat.

Meanwhile, in a release, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation in the state, Chris Nehikhare, said the deputy governor’s media crew tried to force their way into the hall where Governor Godwin Obaseki and other invited dignitaries were seated to mark the 60th anniversary of Midwest Referendum.

“This act was contrary to the accreditation protocol that had been established for media coverage of the event.

“The orchestrated and stage-managed walkout and disruption is highly regrettable,” the statement partly read.

The government also directed the Ministry of Communication and Orientation to handle the media coverage of the activities of Shaibu’s office.