The dispute between the governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and its deputy, Felipe Shaibu, it has continued to degenerate, with the governor sending an apparent warning to Mr. Shaibu that the “emilokan spirit” was unacceptable in state politics.
Emilokan, a Yoruba word meaning “my turn,” was popularized by President Bola Tinubu during his campaign for the 2023 elections.
The ideology behind the word as it was then used by Mr Tinubu was that he had worked for President Muhammadu Buhari to become the first opposition leader to be elected President of Nigeria and therefore it fell to him ( Tinubu) to be president after Mr. Buhari.
“The ‘Emilokan’ syndrome or spirit is not a strategy to win elections and govern the people of Edo,” the Edo governor said Tuesday, according to a statement sent to Newslodge by Crusoe Osagie, special assistant on the media project. . to the Edo state government.
Mr. Obaseki made the remarks when leaders of the Edo South Senate District paid him a solidarity visit at Benin Government House.
The governor said that the people of Edo would not accept “Emilokan” as a strategy.
“They are not known for that. For us, it is the people who will decide,” he said, apparently referring to his deputy, Mr. Shaibu, who is said to have ambitions to run in the 2024 gubernatorial election in the state.
In his days in the Congress of All Progressives (APC), during the intense political struggles between Mr. Obaseki and his former benefactor, Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Shaibu strongly supported Governor Obaseki.
Oshiomhole, who was the APC National Chairman at the time, prevented Obaseki from winning the APC gubernatorial nomination for his re-election bid, forcing him to move to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PPD). Mr. Shaibu went over with the governor to the PDP, and the two won a joint candidacy and defeated APC gubernatorial candidate Ize-Iyamu Osagie to win the election.
By mentioning the emilokan, Governor Obaseki is probably telling Mr. Shaibu not to feel he has the right to succeed him.
Mr. Shaibu recently petitioned the court to stop an alleged plot by Governor Obaseki to remove him from office.
Meanwhile, the governor accused Mr. Shaibu of rigging the youth council election in Edo due to his (Shaibu’s) political ambitions.
“What has happened in the last few months is strange, and even if you have ambition, this is not the time to express it. The calendar for the elections is not available. You cannot be part of a government and also be the one that destabilizes the same government,” Obaseki said in the quoted Tuesday statement.
“I thought we’ll come in together and we’ll leave together and let people say they’ve done a great job, and now they’ll make the decision for themselves. They are the ones who say come rain or shine; we must continue.
“You are telling the world one thing and yet you are doing another. You are loyal to your principal, and yet you are in court with your principal. Everyone has the right to be ambitious, but do it the right way.”
‘Making Shaibu visible is not a crime’
Governor Obaseki said people have been blaming him for allowing his deputy to be “visible” in the administration.
“Elevating a lieutenant governor and making him visible is not a crime. But I did this because I want to build institutions instead of individuals. Mistaking that and misusing it is truly unfortunate, as it has created the impression that the Lieutenant Governor should not be given responsibility.
“People are already blaming me now for giving him responsibility and visibility, and it’s my fault. How can it be my fault when you want to groom the youth? I believe when young people work with you, give them opportunities and expose them, preparing them for leadership positions in life, praying that they don’t abuse the privilege.
“I do not regret having exposed my deputy to a position of power and leadership. I haven’t made any mistakes, but he’s the one who made the mistake. I hope he will retrace his steps. He is the one who brought me to trial; he should be the one to talk to, not me. We are determined and focused on finishing well, and with his support, we are sure to finish well, ”said the governor.
shaibu reacts
However, the lieutenant governor has denied the existence of a break between him and the governor.
According to a recent report from the Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Shaibu he said that he remained loyal to Mr. Obaseki and that “political middlemen” were trying to create a problem between him and the governor.
“Governor Obaseki and I are committed to the continued development of Edo State.
“We are united in our determination to build a prosperous and inclusive society. I call on all well-meaning people to reject these divisive narratives and join the quest to transform Edo State into a model of sustainable development and good governance. The Edo State PDP politicians should embrace peace and seek unity to fight the common enemy,” Shaibu was quoted as saying.
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