Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, has filed a motion in the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking protection from his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Shaibu is seeking an order of interlocutory injunction stopping Obaseki and his agents from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing, or preventing him from carrying out the functions of his office.
The motion was filed in response to reports that Obaseki is planning to impeach Shaibu.
The two men have been at odds since Shaibu was seen in a viral video with Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State and a political rival of Obaseki.
After the said Abuja video, it is claimed that the Governor took the unprecedented step of convening a gathering at his residence for Edo State House of Assembly PDP members, deliberately excluding his deputy.
Upon learning of the meeting, the deputy promptly headed to the Governor’s mansion, only to be turned away and informed that he was not among the invited attendees.
Obaseki is said to have accused Shaibu of disloyalty and has threatened to remove him from office.
Shaibu’s motion argues that he is being targeted because of his political affiliation with Oshiomhole.
The court paper listed the Inspector General of Police, Department of State Services, the Governor of Edo State, the Speaker, Edo House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo State as defendants.
The two men (Obaseki and Shaibu) are currently members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
There are strong indications that Shaibu is plotting to contest the gubernatorial election next year.
