The palpable rift between the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, assumed another twist yesterday as Shaibu stormed out of the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, venue of the 60th anniversary of the Midwest referendum/32 years anniversary of the creation Edo State after his media crew was sent out of the venue.
This was as the Edo State Government has disbanded the media crew attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor, with a directive to Shaibu to henceforth request the Ministry of Communication and Orientation for media coverage of activities of his office.
The deputy governor, who was inside the venue became livid when he discovered that his media team were not allowed to come into the venue.
This angered Shaibu, who was in a discussion with the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Andy Okungbowa, who was trying to explain what happened to the deputy governor.
One of the journalists in the deputy Governor’s media team said that they were already seated when they were told to leave the venue by security agents after Okungbowa and Public Relations Officer, Office of the Governor, Ms Osarumwense Margaret Ojo identified them.
“We were at the event to cover the proceedings as the deputy governor media. I got the premonition that things will get ugly when our bus was nearly prevented from going into the complex.
“After we gained entrance, we were allowed into the hall and we set out to do our job. After a while, the Okungbowa and Ojo identified us and the security agencies walked us out.
“When the deputy governor got wind of what happened, he came to the door but he was told that they acting on instructions from above. It was at this time that the deputy governor stormed out,” he added.
When contacted, Okungbowa promised to respond to the allegation but did not.
