The strained relationship between governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his deputy, Philip Shaibu seems to be getting out of hand as the former has vowed never to allow the latter to takeover leadership baton from him.
Special Adviser on media projects to governor Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie, said no amount of blackmail would make his principal support Shaibu’s governorship aspiration at this time.
Osagie said it was his boss’ well-considered position that abandoning governance to pursue intense politics now would not be in the best interests of the Edo people.
Osagie, who described Shaibu as a rabble-rouser, noted that he took his indiscipline and hubris to the zenith by trying to create a crisis.
He said, “Shaibu always plays the card of a very loyal deputy, but this is far from reality. A sinner runs when no one pursues him.
“The most blame goes to Governor Obaseki for trying to adopt a civilised manner in relating with his deputy, in a society where such gesture would be taken for weakness.”
The relationship between the governor and the deputy was punctured over the deputy governor’s decision to contest next year’s election.
The governor is believed to be backing a Lagos-based professional to succeed him in office.
As a result of the bad relationship, the deputy governor has gone to the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek protection from victimization after he accused his boss of plotting to impeach him.