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” I Made Obaseki not the other way round – Edo Deputy Gov Philip Shaibu Insists
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki for failing to acknowledge his reinstatement by the court, claiming that he was instrumental in making Obaseki governor.
Shaibu made these remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s political program, Politics Today, on Friday, August 16.
Shaibu revealed that it took former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole three months to convince him and his supporters to back Obaseki for the governorship position. Shaibu also claimed that Obaseki lacked financial strength at the time, and was only able to ascend to power due to the resources and political capital provided by him and his allies.
He said; “Obaseki was not a politician, even financially, Obaseki was not financially strong to even contest the election.
Oshiomhole brought him and when Oshiomhole brought him, some of us argued that he could not be him. It took Oshiomhole three months to convince me and some of our supporters to support Obaseki.
“And when we decided because of the respect for Oshiomhole to support him, he did not bring money – we brought our resources and our friends to bring money and we brought our political capital to make him governor. So, when you are talking about deputy governors and governors, he is not the one that made me, I made him.”
The relationship between Shaibu and Obaseki has been strained over issues related to the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State. Shaibu, who was chosen as Obaseki’s deputy to add political value to the ticket, has accused the governor of attempting to hinder his political ambitions by cutting off finances due to him as deputy governor. He also claimed that he has not received any payments from the government for the past year.
After being reinstated by a Federal High Court, Shaibu returned to his duties as deputy governor and instructed his staff to do the same.
However, the Edo State Government responded by accusing Shaibu of impersonating the deputy governor, a charge that Shaibu strongly refuted.
“The holder of the office of the governor in Edo State today is lawless, Godwin Obaseki is lawless. If he is not lawless, he will not say Philip Shaibu is impersonating because there is a valid court judgment that he has been served,” Shaibu asserted.
The legal battle began after the Edo State House of Assembly impeached Shaibu in April. However, a July 17 judgment by Justice Omotoso declared the impeachment illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void. The court ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement, the payment of his salaries and allowances from April, and issued an injunction preventing Governor Obaseki and the Edo State House of Assembly from obstructing Shaibu from performing his duties. The court also directed the Inspector General of Police to restore Shaibu’s security details.
Despite the court ruling, the Edo State House of Assembly has appealed the judgment and filed a motion for a stay of execution pending the appeal. The legal and political conflict between Shaibu and Obaseki continues to unfold as both sides seek to assert their positions.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.
This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.
This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.
During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”
The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.
Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:
- Federal Medical Centre, Bida
- Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
- Federal College of Education, Yola
- Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Cross River Basin Development Authority
- Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
- National Examination Council (NECO)
- Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
- Presidential Amnesty Programme
- Galaxy Backbone
- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals
Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.
The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.
Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day
Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget
Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability
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