Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has graciously accepted the public apology extended by his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, emphasizing his commitment to forgiveness due to his strong faith.
In a letter titled, “Re: Public Apology By The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu,” the governor said in good faith he trusts that the public apology as expressed by Shaibu is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills.
The letter read:
- “I have noted the public apology made by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu. This apology followed an aberrant behaviour that contradicts what the people of Edo State stand for.
- “To name a few, the Deputy Governor needlessly filed unfounded petitions in the Nigerian courts restraining me, the State House of Assembly and Security agencies from a non-existent impeachment process, followed by repeated breaches of protocol; unwarranted and unprovoked attacks in the media on my person and the State Government.
- “The media frenzy as a result of the above and more, provided an impression of crises that has been precarious and distasteful to Edo people in the State and across the world.
- “Although these unwarranted provocations caused me severe personal discomfort, as a person of faith, I am under obligation to accept this apology because as they say, ‘to err is human, to forgive is divine’.
- “In good faith, I trust that the public apology as expressed by the Deputy Governor is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills.
- “I also enjoin the Deputy Governor to guide his proxies to act in accordance with his piety.
- “It is my sincere hope and that of my other colleagues in government and all well-meaning Edo people, that these rhetorics will be put to an end forthwith to enable this administration finish strong and deliver the dividends of democracy to the greatest number of Edo people over this final twelve (12) months,” Obaseki said.
Backstory
Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu have been at loggerheads over Shaibu’s ambition to suceed the governor as canditate in the forthcoming election
Last week, however, the deputy governor begged his principal for forgiveness over their political differences.
- “I use this medium to appeal to Mr Governor, if there is anything that I don’t know that I have done, please forgive me so that we can develop our state together,” he said in Benin while addressing journalists.
A week later, the governor, in a statement he personally signed described as unwarranted provocations, the petitions signed by his deputy restraining him and security agencies from beginning impeachment proceedings.
The governor said in good faith, he trusts that the public apology as expressed by Shaibu is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills.
It was a needless misunderstanding. Obaseki.need to exercise restraint in resolving issues with his deputy. The deputy governor was thoroughly intimidated, humiliated and abused but he was very calm, accommodating and winning public sympathy. It would have been disastrous for the deputy governor if he joined Obaseki to be roaring and neglecting decorum