Edo Govt: Shaibu Present When Decision on Renovation of Govt House Chapel Was Taken

The Edo state government has said that the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, was present at the executive council meeting when the decision to renovate the government house chapel was approved.

In a statement yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant, Religious Matters and Pastor-in-Charge, Edo State Government House Chapel, Osagie Ehrunmwunse, stated that Shaibu had continued to stir controversy over the renovation of the Interdenominational Government House Chapel.

According to him, the deputy governor was trying to use sacred things such as religion to whip up political sentiments.

“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.

“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.

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,” he stated.

According to him, Shaibu was present , as shown in the exco extract at the 57th exco meeting held on November 1, 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,” the state government added.

The government insisted that Shaibu had full knowledge of government’s action to renovate the chapel but rather preferred to act out a script to stir religious animosity in the State.

“But this is indeed mischief taken too far. We advise him to deploy these efforts being used for mischief to his political aspiration and not use sacred matters as materials for his campaign.

We believe that many things may be permissible in politics but not profaning God’s name for the purpose of gaining cheap sympathy and trying to blackmail the government in which he serves as the number two citizen of the State,” Ehrunmwunse said.