The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reportedly sacked the former Permanent Secretary of the State Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere.
Recall that Obaseki had in August redeployed Chikere from the Sports Commission to Central Administration, Government House, Benin City, amid feud with his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
Mrs Chikere, until her last redeployment, was also the General Coordinator of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, a continental-bound team.
She is a sister-in-law to the deputy governor, Shaibu, who is at the moment enmeshed in a battle of wits with his principal, Obaseki, on the 2024 governorship succession plans.
The former Insurance General Coordinator, Chikere, is the elder sister to the Wife of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu.
A government house source who confirmed the development to METROWATCHXTRA.COM on Friday, said it was not unconnected with the rift between Obaseki and his deputy.
“Yes, it is true! Madam (Sabina Chikere) has been fired by Mr. Governor,” the source simply said.
The development is coming barely 72 hours after the Edo Deputy Governor, Shaibu withdrew his impeachment lawsuit against his principal, Governor Obaseki.
Shaibu had approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking amongst others, an order restraining Obaseki, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Edo State and others from commencing impeachment process against him.
However, on September 5, 2023, the Edo Deputy Governor, Shaibu withdrew the lawsuit he filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, aimed at thwarting the effort by his principal, Governor Obaseki to unseat him (Shaibu) from office.
In a statement, Shaibu said his decision was based on the need to respect the intervention of several prominent individuals, including religious and traditional leaders, while also appreciating the governor for agreeing to the peace initiatives.
