Edo Dep Gov Shaibu Fires Valentine, Says Outburst is Ranting of Frustrated Politician

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has hit back at the Chief Executive of DVD Oil, who had earlier accused him of obtaining N6million from him, after his petrol tanker trucks were contravened for traffic obstruction, saying he is a frustrated politician.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Musa Ebomhiana, Comrade Shaibu said Valentine’s tankers were arrested by Edo State Government agencies made up of EDSTMA, POWOF, Edo State Security Network and the Nigerian Police.

He also added that Valentine is being economical with the truth, because, the said ‘fine’ was paid into Edo State Government revenue account.

“It is very interesting and laughable that Valentine Asuen, a self acclaimed oil magnet has decided to pour his venom on an innocent man, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu at this time.

“He claimed that the Deputy Governor seized two of his trucks and made him to cough out 6million naira for violating traffic rules in the state.

“But why has Valentine chosen to cry out at this time? Was the money paid into the personal account of Shaibu or into the state’s coffers? Did Shaibu perform those functions in his private or in his official capacity as Edo State Deputy Governor? 

“Did the truck violate the Edo State traffic rules and regulations or not? Was it only DVD trucks that were impounded in the course of that joint operation carried out by EDSTMA, POWOF, Edo State Security Network and the Police?

“These are some of the salient questions Valentine Asuen should provide answers.

“For the record, a committee was set up by the State Government to decongest traffic build-up mainly caused by trucks parked indiscriminately by the road side on Murtala Mohammed Way, Oluku by Seven Up, Agbor Road by Guinness and of course on Sapele Road by Obe.

“The then Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN was chairman of that Committee with heads of aforementioned security agencies in the state as members.

“The Committee carried out its assignment on behalf  of the state without prejudice to any body or group of persons.

“Again, Asuen in his ranting in Benin (City) this afternoon, tried to play the ethnic card, cataloguing his family background, instead of addressing the real issue. This is rather childish. He is nothing but an ethnic bigot, a failed politician and an opportunist.

“Valentine is a chronic traffic offender whose trucks have consistently constituted hazard to other road users.

“Rather than appreciate the intervention of Comrade Shaibu who merely intervened on his behalf to have his trucks released to him, has turned around to expose his lawlessness in the society.” The statement added.

Valentine Asuen had earlier in a TMC television interview, accused the deputy governor of collecting N6million from him to effect the release of his trucks that violated on-street parking law in Edo State.