By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, has ordered the withdrawal of the suit he filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, to stop alleged plots by the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, to remove him from office.
Shaibu made this known in a letter he personally signed, dated September 5, 2023, citing the case with Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023, which named the Inspector-General of Police, State Security Service, the Governor of Edo State, and the Chief Judge of Edo State as defendants.
The Deputy Governor noted that the decision to withdraw the suit came after a series of meetings involving himself, Obaseki, and well-meaning citizens of Edo and Nigerians, including party leaders, traditional rulers, and his Archbishop, the Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese of Catholic Church.
He said, “Arising from the series of meetings held with me and also with Mr. Governor by well-meaning Edolites and indeed Nigerians including Party Leaders, Traditional Rulers, and my Archbishop, His Grace Most Rev’d Dr. Augustine Akubeze, the Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese on the issues that led to my going to Court on the above-named suit and with due respect to these eminent personalities and leaders whose persuasions and persons I cannot ignore, I, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has authorized and instructed my Solicitors to withdraw the Suit forthwith.
“I wish to sincerely thank and appreciate these well-meaning Nigerians, Party Leaders, Traditional Rulers, and my Archbishop, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Akubeze for their kind words, advice and encouragement thus far in ensuring peace and unity in our dear State, Edo. I also wish to place on record my special thanks to Mr. Governor, my boss and senior brother for this path of peace.”
