The rift between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, may have taken on new dimensions when N345 million was allotted to the Office of the Deputy Governor in the 2024 Budget, compared to N19 billion allocated to the Office of the State Governor.
An examination of the budget, which the governor signed into law on December 15, 2023, revealed that the Office of the Secretary to the State Government received N8 billion, significantly more than the N345 million allotted to the deputy governor’s office.
The paper also revealed that although the House of Assembly received N13 billion, the Office of the Head of Service received N968 million.
A source close to the House of Assembly, said, the reduction in funding for the deputy governor’s office is related to his goal to succeed his employer as governor of the state.
According to reports, certain parliamentarians considered to be loyal to the deputy governor rejected the assembly’s decision to adopt the budget as provided by the governor.
Lawmakers in that group were claimed to have called it a “unfair appropriation,” but they were outnumbered by other lawmakers.
An insider said the budget has split parliamentarians, although a key member of the House of Assembly claims there is no difference in the House.
Shaibu recently stated that his office has not gotten any funding in the previous six months due to tensions between him and his principal.
The deputy governor announced this at the launching of the Correspondent Office in Benin on Tuesday, saying he has been maintaining the office and undertaking other tasks via goodwill and contributions from friends.
“You know there is tension between the governor and me. And for six months, there has been no allocation to my office. So, whatever I am doing is contributions from friends and my goodwill; and I am still standing very strong,” he said.
cc: Punch Ng
