There Was A Prior Instruction – Aisha Yesufu Reacts As Shaibu Is Denied Access To Obaseki

Political activist, Aisha Yesufu has reacted to the crisis between the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Philip Shaibu.

Earlier reports had indicated that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) denied Shaibu access to Obaseki.

The incident occurred at the New Festival Hall of Government House, Benin, on Sunday, at a church service to mark the 32nd anniversary of the creation of Edo State.

Shaibu, who was one of the guests, stood up to greet Obaseki, but a DSS operative blocked him just a few metres away.

Obaseki, who was seated beside his wife, Betsy, and Charles Aniagwu, a Delta State Commissioner, looked away as Shaibu fruitlessly explained to the plain-cloth security operative, who stood his ground, before he (Shaibu) later returned to his seat.

However, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Andrew Okungbowa, said the DSS operative was only doing his job.

“Whatever happened at the church service was not at the behest of the governor, neither was he aware what the security aides were doing. 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,” he said.

Reacting to the Okungbowa explanation via Twitter, Aisha Yesufu wrote: “There is no how such denial will come without prior instruction.”