Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has stated that he is not in competition with his principal Governor Godwin Obaseki.
This came after Obaseki’s decision to foot the medical bills of the attacked players and officials of Nigeria Premier Football League club, Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure.
TMY Newspapers reports that armed robbers had attacked a bus transporting Sunshine Stars along the Ore-Benin Expressway while on their way to Benin City for a planned NPFL Match against Bendel Insurance.
A ball boy was shot, while the players and other officials were much traumatised and disoriented after the armed attack.
The deputy governor had visited the players and promised to pay their hospital bills. However, the Edo state governor later promised that his administration would pay the hospital bills of the injured players and officials.
In his reaction to Obaseki’s gesture, Shaibu stated that he was no longer going to pay the bills of the Sunshine Stars players and officials.
According to a statement by deputy governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa, on Sunday evening, Shaibu said: “Our attention has been drawn to the fact that His Excellency, the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has directed that the medical bill of the injured Ball Boy and Kit Manager of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure be paid by Edo State government.
“Consequently, the state’s Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, has withdrawn his earlier promise to pay the medical bill.
“The office of Governor and Deputy Governor are one. We are not in any way in competition.”
TMY Newspapers recalls that Governor Obaseki and Shaibu have been at daggers drawn despite their alleged reconciliation over the intention of the latter to contest for the 2024 Edo state governorship election, which the governor is not favourably disposed to.
Shaibu has since officially declared his governorship bid but Obaseki said members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will determine his fate.
