PDP declares cease-fire and issues warning to Obaseki, deputy

The Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, have been urged by the Peoples Democratic Party to put down their weapons and attempt to bring about peace.

The party expressed surprise that official state government letters, which ought to be private, were now taking over social media.

Do not de-market PDP in Edo State, a statement that was released in Abuja on Tuesday night by Chief Dan Orbih, the former chairman of the party in Edo State and PDP National Vice Chairman (South), said.

He was responding to the altercation between Obaseki and Shuaibu that seemed to defy resolution.

Shaibu had filed a petition with the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop Obaseki’s intended impeachment of him, but he later withdrew it in response to stakeholder intervention.

When the governor moved the location of his deputy’s office, the case resurfaced.

On Monday, Shaibu was also forbidden from going into his office at the Government House.

On social media, a formal letter informing them of his transfer surfaced. A Permanent Secretary in the deputy governor’s office received the letter, dated September 15, 2023, and acknowledged it on September 18, 2023, a Monday.

For the benefit of the upcoming governorship, Orbih counselled Obaseki and his deputy to put the past behind them and let peace rule.

“I have watched with concern the icy relations between the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, and his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, and I am compelled to call on both parties to exercise restraint in what they say and do during this ongoing pointless and endless crisis,” he added.

“I was surprised to see that official correspondence, which is supposed to be private, now rules social media. In the interest of good governance and the development of the state, I implore all sides to put an end to further hostilities and quietly settle their disagreements. Anything less might harm the Party’s reputation and prospects in the upcoming general election.

“Yes, there have been conflicts in the past between the administration and the party, but we haven’t allowed them to be the subject of editorials in the newspapers.

“The PDP has a powerful brand in Edo State, one that has been cultivated over the years by the dedication of party leaders and committed people. The ongoing conflict between the governor and deputy governor poses a severe threat to this brand.

“In light of this, I would like to take this chance to urge all parties to ‘stop fire’ and work out their disagreements peacefully. Godspeed to PDP. Godspeed to Edo State.