By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shaibu, has warned newly inaugurated Chairman and members of the Edo State Civil Service Commission to be wary of what he described as “Greek gifts” stressing that their appointments are ” only but a trap.”
Shaibu who stated this in a statement he issued on Wednesday said it was hasty on the part of the Edo state government to embark on the appointments.
Shaibu said there’s something unclear about the appointments as they appear to be a last-ditch effort of the state government.
He said: “What is even more shocking is the discovery that the individual reportedly screened by the Edo State House of Assembly for the chairman’s position lacks the basic qualifications and does not even meet the criteria for the role. This raises serious questions about the integrity of the process….
“I urge the purported appointees to exercise extreme caution, as these appointments are only but a trap.
“The people of Edo State must be aware that these appointments undermine due process, transparency, and good governance. I reiterate my commitment to upholding the law and protecting Edo State’s interest until the last day in office.
“To the appointees, I warn, beware of these ‘Greek gifts’ that may land you in trouble, as seen in the case of the Okuogbellagbe of Okpella. I urge all stakeholders to reconsider their positions and uphold legality and accountability.”
It would be recalled that Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his deputy have been at loggerheads ever since the primary election of the party which threw up Ighodalo as PDP governorship candidate as delegates loyal to Shaibu went to court to challenge the outcome and lost.
The rift between the duo deepened when the Edo State House of Assembly impeached Shaibu on April 8, 2024.
This development led to another round of legal battles between both parties which went in favour of Shaibu who got a declarative judgement reinstating him as Edo State deputy governor. The Edo State then proceeded to Court and obtained a stay of execution, a move that appears to thrown Shaibu into limbo.
However, things completely fell apart between Shaibu and Obaseki when it became clear that the deputy governor had pitched his political tent with the opposition APC.
