Ahead of the formal declaration of Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu of his governorship ambition on Monday, the Hotel he book for the event has cancelled his booking.
The hotel, located in the Government Reserved Area, Benin, is owned by a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
According to reports, Shaibu was contacted by the management of the hotel that the space was no longer available for his use while his money was refunded. The hotel management was said to have told the Shaibu group that another group, ‘Obaseki finishing well group,’ had paid for the same venue.
One of Shaibu’s loyalists, who asked not to be named, told our correspondent that: “We found this very preposterous that we were contacted by the hotel management that a group had paid for the same venue for a programme slated for 7 a.m. same date
“We know where this is coming from. Whatever their plans to frustrate our declaration will definitely fail. They are jittery over Shaibu’s declaration and popularity.”
Shaibu’s governorship ambition has pitched him against his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is believed to be working to pick someone else to succeed him.
At the height of the crisis, Shaibu dragged Obaseki and the state House of Assembly to court, seeking an order to stop them from impeaching him.
Obaseki, on his part, had openly accused Shaibu of being overambitious.
Though Shaibu later apologised to Obaseki and the latter said he had forgiven him, the Edo State Government relocated Shaibu’s office out of the government house.
Last week, Shaibu’s camp said the deputy governor would this week formally declare his intention to run for the 2024 Edo State governorship election.
A ‘Special Invitation’ dated November 23, 2023,, read: “On behalf of Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu Campaign Organisation, I invite you to honour me with your esteemed presence as I offer myself to serve as the Chief Servant (Governor) of Edo State.”
