Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki took swift action even before the formal impeachment of the state’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, by reallocating his office within the Government House in Benin to serve as the secretariat for the Alaghodaro summit, of which his preferred candidate for the 2024 gubernatorial election, Asue Ighodalo, is the chairman.
This move contradicted Obaseki’s earlier assertion that he was merely renovating the one-story building.
The term “Alaghodaro,” which signifies progress or advancement in Benin, represents an annual investment drive initiated by the Edo State Government under Obaseki’s leadership.
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A leaked memo dated September 18, 2023, revealed that Governor Obaseki instructed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, to promptly allocate the deputy governor’s office building to the trustees of the Alaghodaro summit, designating it as their official secretariat.
Ighodalo, through the secretary, had previously written to Obaseki requesting a permanent secretariat building to facilitate planning and logistics for the upcoming 2023 summit scheduled for the second week of November.
According to the leaked memo, the office space closest to the summit venue, the New Festival Hall of Government House, which had been occupied by Shaibu until a few days prior, was to be assigned to the board of trustees of the Alaghodaro summit. This summit aimed to attract potential investors from various parts of Nigeria.
As a result of this action, Shaibu was relocated from Government House to a new office at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin, where an office plaque boldly reads: “Office of the Deputy Governor, No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin City.” This location was in close proximity to the Government House.
Notably, an inauguration plaque at the entrance of the one-story building bore the inscription: “Edo State Public Procurement Agency: This building was commissioned by His Excellency, The Comrade Governor, Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, MNI, OON, Edo State Governor, on Tuesday, 16th December, 2014.”
In accordance with the directive of Edo’s Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, Shaibu’s aides and civil servants associated with his office had relocated two weeks prior to these developments.
On September 5, Shaibu withdrew his anti-impeachment lawsuit (reference number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023) but remained determined to vie for the position of Governor, with the election slated for November 12, 2024.