Politics
Obaseki accuses me of dining with his enemies, humiliates me – Deputy Gov Shaibu
Obaseki accused me of dining with his enemies, humiliates me – Deputy Gov Shaibu
The cold war between Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, blew open on Friday with the latter going public with alleged serial humiliation he has been subjected to by his principal in the last one month.
Shaibu claimed he had even been penciled down for impeachment by the governor through the State House of Assembly.
Immediate relief however came the way of the deputy governor after the Federal High Court Abuja, to which he ran for intervention, ordered status quo ante pending when the respondents in the suit would be able to show reasons why they should not be restrained.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in the certified true copy (CTC) of the motion which was seen Friday, asked the plaintiff and the defendants to allow things remain the way they were before the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1027/2023 was filed.
The defendants are the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the State Security Service (SSS), the Edo State Governor, the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo State.
Justice Mohammed said, “It is hereby directed that parties shall maintain status quo ante bellum pending when the defendants have shown cause as directed by the court in its ruling of 27/07/2023.”
The judge directed the issuance of hearing notices in the IGP, SSS and the Governor (who were not represented in court by any lawyer) and adjourned till August 10.
Shuaibu said he incurred the wrath of the governor after expressing his interest to contest the next governorship election in the state on the platform of their party, the Peoples Democratic Party.
The deputy governor said that sequel to his public declaration to seek the PDP governorship ticket, Obaseki had been denying him the opportunity to function in his official capacity, including threat to withdraw his security details.
He therefore sought, in the suit commenced via originating summons, for an order restraining Obaseki, the Speaker, the Chief Judge and their agents from taking steps to impeach him.
He also prayed the court to issue an order restraining the IGP, SSS and the Governor from withdrawing the security details attached to him and his office.
Shuaibu, in the supporting affidavit, detailed the genesis of the friction between him and his principal, saying: “Sometime this year, I made clearly known my intention to contest for the post of Governor of Edo State upon the expiration of the tenure of the 3rd defendant (Obaseki) in the year 2024 with my experience as the Deputy Governor of the state for eight years.
“Ever since I made known my intention, the 3rd defendant was not pleased and openly told me to jettison any idea of succeeding him in office, to which I refused and has since then become his enemy.
“The 3rd defendant has been doing all he can to prevent me from carrying out my official functions as the Deputy Governor of the state and has ever since refused to involve me in all matters pertaining to the state administration of which I hitherto participated and acted creditably with commendation.”
Shuaibu listed instances when Obaseki and his agents allegedly prevented him from performing his official functions.
He stated, “On Thursday, 13th July, 2023, a circular (letter) emanated from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to all MDAs that all Ministries, MDAs including Local Government Councils should henceforth deal with Mr. Governor, saddled with the responsibility of Internally Generated Revenue, which used to come through my office.
“The office of the 3rd defendant posted, as usual, the schedule of meetings of the Governor for Monday, 17th July 2023.
“Amongst the meetings for that day was the one scheduled for 11:00am with HOLGAs, bankers, tech partners, EIRS and Edo-GIS – which was to hold at the State Executive Chambers.
“Before the appointed time at the Exco Chambers, all the named persons and bodies, including the Deputy Governor and the SSG, were all seated.
“The said meeting for 11:00am at the State Executive Council Chambers however never held as the 3rd defendant did not come to the Chambers for the meeting, but the attendees, except the Deputy Governor, were invited into the Governor’s Office by the Chief of Staff to Mr. Governor for discussion and dispersed from there.
“Since that day, the Office of the Deputy Governor has not been receiving any schedule of the meetings and events of the 3rd defendant, contrary to the existing practice and procedure in Government House.
“On Wednesday, 19th July, 2023 it was when briefs for the State Executive Council Meetings were forwarded to my (Personal Private Secretary) that I knew that there would be Exco meeting that day at 11:00am for the meeting at 10:00am as no schedule of Mr Governor was sent to my office as it used to be.”
He also said, “In spite of the intervention of well-meaning stakeholders in Edo State, including the Oba of Benin, the 3rd defendant is hell bent on dealing with me and has vowed to use all machineries in his power to remove me from office as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.”
The Nation
Politics
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Mr. Rasheed Kashamu, Ijebu-North 1 lawmaker in the Ogun State House of Assembly, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection, announced on Monday during a plenary session at the Assembly Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, was communicated through a letter read by the Speaker of the House, Oludaisi Elemide. Kashamu, who served as Deputy Minority Whip, cited irreconcilable differences and factional divisions within the PDP at both state and national levels as reasons for his move.
Elemide noted that Kashamu’s decision was aimed at aligning with progressive forces in Ogun State and supporting the development agenda of Governor Dapo Abiodun. “After reviewing the current state of affairs of the PDP, marked by unresolved leadership crises, he resolved, in consultation with his supporters, to join the APC and back the ISEYA agenda of Governor Abiodun and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” the Speaker said.
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Kashamu formally joined the APC at his Oke-Sopen Ward in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Government Area, accompanied by his supporters, while lawmakers welcomed him into the Assembly’s majority caucus. His wife, uncle, and other well-wishers were present to witness the event.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State House of Assembly also acknowledged a letter from Governor Dapo Abiodun seeking the confirmation of Mr. Abdul Najeem Olayinka as Auditor-General for Local Governments following the retirement of Mr. Lamidi Mulero.
Elemide directed the nominee to appear before the House for screening on December 17 and to submit 30 copies of his curriculum vitae and credentials by 10:00 a.m. on December 16, as part of the confirmation process.
This development marks a significant political shift in Ogun State, strengthening the APC’s presence in the House of Assembly ahead of upcoming elections.
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Politics
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Dr. Najeem Salaam, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, has emerged as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election, securing an overwhelming victory at the party’s primary election on Monday.
The primary, held in Osogbo, saw 528 delegates accredited, including 482 local government and ward delegates and 53 special delegates. Of the votes cast, 520 were validly credited to Salaam, while eight votes were declared invalid, confirming his landslide win.
Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee, officially declared Salaam as the party’s flagbearer, empowering him to lead the party into the 2026 gubernatorial race.
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In his acceptance speech, Salaam thanked delegates and ADC leadership for their confidence, vowing to champion the party’s vision and represent the people of Osun State effectively in the upcoming election.
Salaam’s nomination adds momentum to a highly competitive political landscape in Osun State, where other parties, including the Accord Party and All Progressives Congress (APC), have also concluded their nominations. Governor Ademola Adeleke secured the Accord Party ticket, while the APC confirmed Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji as its flagbearer.
Political analysts note that Salaam’s experience as a legislative leader and grassroots mobiliser positions him as a strong contender in the 2026 Osun governorship election, signaling an intense contest across major parties.
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Politics
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed as false a viral report alleging that he commented on which region should produce Nigeria’s president in 2027, describing the claim as fake news.
The report, which circulated widely on social media, alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said it was the South’s turn to produce the next president. Reacting on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), El-Rufai categorically denied making such a statement.
“My attention has been drawn to a trending fake news item alleging that I specified which region of the country should produce the president in 2027. This claim is untrue, despite its virality,” he said.
El-Rufai stressed that he did not express such views in any speech, interview or social media post, noting that his opinions are only conveyed through his verifiable official platforms.
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He also faulted the practice of attributing opinions to him based on articles written by others, even when such articles are shared on his platforms as part of broader national discourse.
“It is wrong and improper to attribute to me opinion articles written by other authors, even when I share such articles on my platforms as contributions to the national conversation,” he said.
The former governor warned that the spread of misinformation and irresponsible politicking on social media poses a serious threat to public trust and democratic debate.
“These clarifications are crucial as we confront the deliberate misuse of social media for the spread of fake news,” El-Rufai stated, adding that fake news platforms should not be accorded any credibility.
He further urged journalists, media organisations and members of the public to verify information before publishing or sharing it, cautioning that failure to do so undermines the integrity of the media.
“In this age of falsehood, the obligation to verify information before posting or publishing has become more important than ever,” he said, lamenting what he described as the growing alignment of some media actors with unverified social media narratives.
El-Rufai concluded by reiterating that no political views should be attributed to him unless they are explicitly expressed on his official social media accounts or during interviews with reputable media organisations.
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
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