Obaseki Should Temper Justice with Mercy

Notes for File

There is no doubt that Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is taking his fight with his deputy, Philip Shaibu, too far. Though many analysts were disappointed with Shaibu’s alleged clandestine plots to undermine the authority of the governor, which led to a disagreement between them, many also believe that the new steps taken by Obaseki to punish and embarrass him at every opportunity should not be the best way to go.

Last Sunday, there was a mild drama at the church service to mark the 32nd anniversary of the creation of the state, as a security operative attached to the governor, stopped Shaibu from approaching his principal.

As the deputy governor approached Obaseki who was seated beside his wife, Betsy, and the representative of the Delta State Governor, Charles Aniagwu, to greet them, he was embarrassed by a security operative who stopped him within two metres away from the governor.

Governor Obaseki looked the other way as Shaibu explained himself to the security operative who firmly, but in a friendly tone, kept the deputy governor away. Shaibu shamefully returned to his seat as the service continued.

What many in the hall expected was for the governor to ask the security man to give the deputy governor access to him.

There is no doubt that the scene was embarrassing and unnecessary especially when Shaibu was believed to have realised his mistakes and is retracing his steps. There is nobody who does not make mistakes.

Incidentally, speaking on their frosty relationship recently, Obaseki had described the rift between him and his deputy as unfortunate, sad, and avoidable because “the people know where we are coming from and what we have gone through.”

“What has happened in the last few months is strange. I thought we came together and will leave together and let the people say you have done a great job and they will now make the decision themselves. They are the ones to say that come rain or sunshine, we must continue.”

As painful, unwarranted and unnecessary as the disagreement is, the governor has to put it behind him and move on. After all, he himself fell out with his former principal, Adams Oshiomhole who made him governor against all the odds.