The Edo government says Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state, was not aware that Phillip Shaibu, his deputy, was denied access to see him on Sunday.
A crisis almost erupted at the New Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin, the state capital, when an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) prevented Shaibu from meeting with the governor.
Shaibu attended the thanksgiving church service to mark the 32nd anniversary of the creation of the state, and at a moment caught sight of the governor who sat with his wife.
The deputy governor tried to make his way to the governor but was denied access by the security operative as Obaseki looked on.
Reacting to the incident on Monday, Andrew Okungbowa, the governor’s chief press secretary, said Obaseki was not aware of the security actions.
“Whatever happened at the church service was not at the behest of the governor, nor was he aware of what the security aides were doing,” Okungbowa said.
“In fact, the security aides were doing their job.
“Besides, the governor was not aware that the deputy was coming to greet him.
The church is a public event, so the security aides had a duty to safeguard their principal.”
Speaking after the event, Shaibu said his loyalty to the governor remains unshakeable.
“The vow I have made with God is that I will continue to support Godwin Obaseki as the governor of Edo state from the beginning to the end,” he said.
“But that does not stop anything that has to do with ambition. Ambition is personal and it does not affect loyalty.”
