In December 2023, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Obaseki, Andrew Okungbowa, also resigned.
Mrs. Sarah Ajose-Adeogun, Governor Godwin Obaseki‘s Special Adviser on Strategy, Performance and Project Monitoring, has resigned from her appointment.
The former Senior Manager with the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), who is popularly known as Madam Sarah, confirmed her resignation in a post she shared on her Facebook page.
Ajose-Adeogun wrote: “Thank you Lord, l came, l saw, l conquered, served meritoriously and looking forward with optimism. Indeed God has been awesome in my life. Praise the Lord."
According to sources, her resignation may be unconnected with the political crisis in the state following the rift between the governor and his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
In December 2023, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Obaseki, Andrew Okungbowa, also resigned.
Although Shaibu has been openly campaigning in a move to succeed Obaseki, the governor has rather reportedly thrown his weight behind Asue Ighodalo.
SaharaReporters reported on January 10, that Shaibu had revealed that he was persuaded to become Obaseki's deputy, regretting that his principal had refused to back his candidature in the upcoming 2024 governorship election.
According to him, he brought value to his administration in terms of political structure and finances, but instead of supporting him to take over from him, he was supporting an outsider.
“Actually, I was persuaded and there was no protest. I actually didn’t want to be a deputy governor. I was very comfortable in the House of Representatives. It took almost one month to get me to accept to be the deputy governor of Edo State.
“I accepted to add value to the ticket of Obaseki because Obaseki was not known and he was not one of the politicians. They needed a young, vibrant politician that has won election before and that can add political value to the ticket,” he said.
During the week, the Edo State government reacted to the controversy surrounding the renovation of the Interdenominational Government House Chapel after Shaibu held Mass outside on Tuesday.
Amid the rift between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Shaibu, the latter on Tuesday held the weekly mass outside his new office.
The weekly programme used to be held at the Interdenominational Government House Chapel.
But on Tuesday, it was held in an open field close to Shaibu’s office at 7 Osadebey Avenue in the GRA.
The religious programme was attended by Shaibu, his wife, civil servants attached to the deputy governor’s office, some aides and political associates.
There were allegations that the state government prevented the deputy governor and others from using the chapel.
But a statement signed by Rev'd Osagie Ehrunmwunse, SSA, Religious Matters and Pastor-in-Charge, Edo State Government House Chapel on Tuesday and obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the state government accused Shaibu of stirring controversy over the renovation of the chapel.
It said, “It is unfortunate that His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu has continued to stir controversy over the renovation of the Interdenominational Government House Chapel, trying to use things that we as Nigerians and Edo people see and hold as sacred such as religion, to whip up political sentiments.
“In the last couple of days, we have seen posts on social media and various media outfits, suggesting that the State Government has shut down the Chapel and prevented people from using it as a place of worship.
“Following closely from this narrative, our dear brother, the Deputy Governor held an outdoor mass with some catholic faithful, clearly showing that he is the mastermind behind the persons circulating the video and the accompanying false commentary, as his actions seek to curiously authenticate their false claims.
“It is unfortunate that the Deputy Governor has embarked on this lowly adventure, attempting to stoke religious animosity to embarrass the government, in which he serves.
“We want to bring the attention of the public and other relevant stakeholders to the fact that the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu was present (as shown in the EXCO Extract attached to this statement) at the 57th EXCO Meeting held on 1st of November 2023, when approval was given for the renovation and remodeling of the Government House Interdenominational Chapel. He served as Vice Chairman of the Council in that meeting.”
Ehrunmwunse said the project “is being handled by the Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency”.
“We believe that many things may be permissible in politics but not profaning God's name for the purpose of gaining cheap sympathy and trying to blackmail the government in which he serves as the number two citizen of the State,” the statement added.