The rift between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, deepened as the weekly Tuesday Mass normally held at the Government House Chapel at the instance of Shaibu has been relocated from the Government House to the deputy governor’s new office outside.
The mass which was held in the open field of the new deputy governor’s office at 7 Osadebey Avenue in the GRA, had in attendance Shaibu and his wife, civil servants attached to his office, some aides and political associates.
An official in the Chapel said they got a directive from the Senior Special Assistant to Obaseki on Religious Matters last Monday “to come and remove our things from the chapel, including the station of the cross, the pulpit and other items.”
The official added, “I told him I will inform the deputy governor to know where to relocate the items and we went to remove them the following day. I was shocked when I started hearing that I went to do a video. They ordered us to remove our things, which we did.”
However, Obaseki insisted that nothing like the relocation of the chapel had happened.
The Special Adviser to Obaseki on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, in a statement said the video in circulation was fabricated by mischief makers.
He added, “It is imperative to state categorically that the Government House Chapel is very much in operation and attending to the spiritual needs of the occupants of the Government House.
“It is necessary to stress that the governor and his wife are ardent Christians and it is therefore illogical that they will shut down the Chapel in the Government House.
“We urge members of the public to disregard the rumour as it bears no iota of truth. The government will continue to promote religious freedom and harmony within the state.”
In his homily, Rev Fr Emmanuel Egejuru said joy, humility, gratefulness and obedience are characteristics expected from leaders which he said was exemplified by King David in the bible.
Deputy Governor, Edo-State, Phillip Shaibu, wife, workers and Rev Fr Emmanuel Egejuru observing Mass on an open field at the new deputy gov’s office on Tuesday. | Credit: Adeyinka Adedipe.
Punch