Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has accused his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, of creating unnecessary controversy and attempting to stir religious animosity over the renovation of the Interdenominational Government House Chapel in Benin.
The accusation was made in a statement by Obaseki’s Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Religious Matters, Rev. Osagie Ehrunmwunse, who is also the Pastor-in-Charge of the Edo State Government House Chapel.
The statement noted that social media posts and various media outlets suggested the state government had closed the chapel, preventing worship.
According to him, this narrative was seemingly supported by Deputy Governor Shaibu’s recent conduct of an outdoor mass with some Catholic faithful, which appeared to endorse these false claims.
“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,” the statement read in part.
“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.”
Governor Obaseki expressed disappointment over Shaibu’s actions, describing them as an attempt to use religion to gain political advantage and embarrass the government.
He said that Shaibu was present at the 57th EXCO Meeting on November 1, 2023, where the renovation and remodelling of the chapel were approved, indicating his awareness and involvement in the decision.
The EXCO extract, marked GC (2023) 85, outlined the approval for the renovation contract to be awarded to BOUMS MULTINATIONAL CONCEPTS LIMITED at a cost of N300,161,278.17.
Obaseki criticised Shaibu’s actions as misleading and an effort to provoke religious tensions in the state.
The statement added,
“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 at the 57th EXCO Meeting, held on 1st of November, 2023, when approval was given for the renovation and remodelling of the Government House Interdenominational Chapel. He served as Vice Chairman of the Council in that meeting. The project is being handled by the Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency.
“In the portion of the EXCO EXTRACT, marked GC (2023) 85, with the heading ‘Conclusion 8 (Item No 12)’, the document reads: ‘Council approved that the contract for the Renovation and Remodelling of Chapel inside Government House, Benin City, Edo State be awarded to BOUMS MULTINATIONAL CONCEPTS LIMITED at a negotiated tender sum of N300,161,278.17 (Three Hundred Million, One Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy-Eight Naira, Seventeen Kobo Only).
“With this, it clearly shows that our brother, Philip Shaibu, has full knowledge of Government’s action to renovate the chapel, but rather prefers to act out a script to stir religious animosity in the State. But this is indeed mischief taken too far.”
Furthermore, Governor Obaseki urged his deputy to focus his efforts on his political aspirations rather than using religious matters as campaign material.
He stressed that while many tactics might be permissible in politics, exploiting sacred matters for political gain or attempting to discredit the government was unacceptable.
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