Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State made it clear that he has not endorsed any candidate to take over his position when his tenure ends next year.
‘I am not in the position now to determine, appoint or anoint a successor,’ Edo’s Gov. Godwin Obaseki, said in Benin on Friday.
‘All I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion because our goal is to keep Edo as one.’
‘The important thing for us as an administration is for us to finish strong and complete everything we told Edo people we would do for them during our campaigns,’ Obaseki told newsmen.
Highlighting the importance of fairness, equity, and inclusiveness, he reiterated that the process of seeking his successor for the 2024 gubernatorial election in the state should prioritize these values.
Their relationship had soured in recent times, with Obaseki and Shaibu engaging in verbal clashes until Shaibu offered an apology to the governor on September 21.
On his relationship with his deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, he said: ‘I have nothing personal against the deputy governor and never had.’
Read also: Please Forgive Me, I Remain Loyal, Shaibu Begs Obaseki
‘For me, the issues are very straightforward,’ Obaseki said.
Obaseki graciously accepted Shaibu’s apology, remarking that “to err is human, and to forgive is divine.”
However, the governor remained tight-lipped about the possibility of Shaibu returning to his post at Government House.
‘I have noted the public apology made by the Deputy Governor of Edo, His Excellency, Comrade Philip Shaibu.’
The apology followed an aberrant behaviour that contradicted what the people of Edo stood for.
‘To name a few, the deputy governor needlessly filed unfounded petitions in courts, restraining me, the House of Assembly and security agencies from a non-existent impeachment process.’
‘This followed repeated breaches of protocol; unwarranted and unprovoked attacks in the media on my person and on the state government.’
‘Although, these unwarranted provocations caused me severe personal discomfort, as a person of faith, I am under obligation to accept this apology, because as they say, to err is human, to forgive is divine.’
‘In good faith, I trust that the public apology as expressed by the deputy governor is genuine, and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict-resolution skills.’
‘I also enjoin the deputy governor to guide his proxies to act in accordance with his piety.’
‘It is my sincere hope that this rhetoric will be put to an end to enable this administration to finish strong, over these final 12 months,’ Obaseki had said.
On Sept. 21, Shaibu begged Obaseki for forgiveness, saying he was sorry, adding that he was really missing the Edo governor.
Additionally, he mentioned that he had yet to relocate to his newly assigned office outside Government House, citing ongoing renovations, security concerns, and the absence of necessary features, including a conference room, as the reasons behind his decision.