The decision by the reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, to capitalise on his judicial victory by appointing some political aides for his office, is heightening political tension in the state as the government insisted on Friday that Omobayo Marvellous Godwins remains the recognized number two citizen, having filed for a stay of execution of the judgement nullifying the April 8, 2024, impeachment of Shaibu. Reacting to the list of eight appointments which has gone viral on social media, the state information and orientation commissioner, Chris Osa Nehikhare, described it as part of Shaibu’s “provocative actions to foment crisis in the state”. A press statement by Musa Ebomhian, chief press secretary (CPS) to Shaibu, said that “The reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has approved the reappointment of the following officials: Hon. Kingsley Ehigiamusor as Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Edo State, Comrade Musa Ebomhiana as Chief Press Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor; Hon. Emmanuel Akhaba as Senior Special Assistant; Mustapha Lawal as Senior Special Assistant (Omokpo); Charles Olubayo as Senior Special Assistant; Mathias Akhanemhe as Special Assistant; Comrade Robinson Akhenoba as Special Assistant and Robert Ojele as Special Assistant. This appointment takes immediate effect”. However, the state government asked the public to disregard the said appointments which it described as “fake”. Nehikhare’s statement said “The Edo State Government has observed that some unsigned statements are circulating on social media purporting to appoint certain persons as aides in the Office of the Deputy Governor. The fake document should be disregarded as it is part of the provocative actions by the impeached Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, to foment crisis in the state. “It is clear that the impeached deputy governor is hell-bent on creating a sense of chaos in the state, but the Edo State Government is resolved to put his antics in check and ensure that the state continues to run smoothly. We restate that Omobayo Marvellous Godwins remains the Deputy Governor of Edo State and the public is enjoined to disregard the shenanigans orchestrated by Shaibu. “The government, once again, calls on citizens to rest assured that we will maintain peace and order as we charge them to go about their lawful businesses”.
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