Edo: Drama as 2 Former Deputy Governors Fight at Forum, Video Trends
- Edo state former deputy governors, Philip Shaibu and Omobayo Godwins, have engaged each other in a verbal confrontation over their legitimacy
- The drama played out when Shaibu and Omobayo attended the fourth annual national conference of former deputy governors' forum
- During the conference, Omobayo was introduced as the former deputy governor of Edo, but Shaibu objected, citing a court judgment
A mild drama ensued when two former deputy governors of Edo, Philip Shaibu and Omobayo Godwins, clashed over who should represent the state at the former deputy governors' forum, at its fourth annual national conference.
It all started when Omobayo was introduced as the state's former deputy governor at the event, which was held in Abuja on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
During the introduction, Shaibu opposed the description of Omobayo as Edo's ex-deputy governor. This led to a chaos as the two men fought over legitimacy.
Source: Twitter
Shaibu kicks against Omobayo as ex-deputy governor
According to Channels TV, Shaibu, who addressed journalists after the incident, said that the introduction was not proper. He argued that Omobayo was never elected as the deputy governor because he was “brought in through the back door.”
He also pointed out that the court declared his sacking as illegal and that the office was never vacant. On his part, Omobayo claimed he did not become the deputy governor by himself and described the clash with Shaibu as “almost a national disgrace.” He said he had been calm.
He then urged Shaibu to accept the court case as the sad reality he had to live with, adding that he still regarded him as "an elder brother."
Recall that Shaibu was removed from the office of the Edo deputy governor, under the administration of Godwin Obaseki, in April 2024. At the time, Omobayo was appointed as his replacement, but Shaibu's impeachment was later nullified by a court, and he was reinstated.
Nigerians react to Edo ex-deputy governors' fight
The video of the incident that surfaced on social media has started generating reactions from some Nigerians.
Source: Twitter
Below are some of their reactions:
Mike Ray supported Shaibu:
"He has a point, the court reinstated Shuaibu, hence the former deputy governor cannot be recognised by law."
Emeka urged Shaibu to walk out of the forum:
"Why not just walk out on their meeting that will eventually amount to nothing?"
Spense questioned the existence of the forum:
"What is the essence of this former deputy governors' forum?"
Samtex question the forum:
"What are they gathering for deputy governors?"
Deji condemned the forum:
"Useless forums just to lick @ss and share national cake."
Victorious claimed:
"Irrelevant people begging for recognition."
Tinubu gives appointment to Shaibu, ex-Senate president
This came barely one month after President Tinubu announced the appointment of former Senate President Ken Nnamani as the chairman of the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). He also named the ex-secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Ayim Pius Ayim (Ebonyi), as the chairman of the National Merit Awards.
Among the 22 individuals, President Tinubu approved appointments to leadership positions across various federal agencies and commissions, including that of Ibrahim Shehu Shema, a former governor of Katsina state, who was appointed to head the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Shaibu as the director-general of the Nigerian Institute of Sport. Similarly, Tinubu appointed a renowned activist from Kwara state, Comrade Isa Aremu, as the director-general of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
