PDP calls a truce, cautions Obaseki and the 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.

It was reported that Shaibu had gone to a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop his planned impeachment by Obaseki, although he latter withdrew the case following intervention of stakeholders.

The case came up again when the governor relocated the office of his Deputy.

Shaibu was also barred from entering his office in the Government House on Monday.

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 counseled Obaseki and his deputy to put the past behind them and let peace rule.

He said, “I have observed with trepidation, the frosty relations between the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu and I am constrained to call on both parties to exercise restraint in what to say or do in the course of this ongoing needless and endless crisis.

“To my surprise, official letters, which should be confidential, are now dominating the social media space. I urge both parties to stop further hostilities and resolve their differences quietly in the interest of good governance and progress of the state. Anything less may affect the image and fortunes of the Party in the coming Guber election.

“Yes, we have had issues in the past between party and government, but we haven’t allowed them to be subject to newspaper editorials.

“The PDP is a strong brand in Edo State – a brand that has been nurtured over the years by the commitment of leaders and dedicated members of the party. This brand is now under serious threat by the current raging battle between the Governor and Deputy-Governor.

“I therefore seize this opportunity to call on both parties to ‘cease fire’ and resolve their differences amicably. God bless PDP. God bless Edo State.”