The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu has revealed that he will handover office to the newly elected governor and deputy governor of the state, whether the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki was present or not.

Shuaibu stated this during an interview with Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday.

Shuaibu’s clarification comes following rumours that Obaseki was nowhere to be found in the state.

Obaseki had on Monday, granted pardon to 10 inmates with less than one year to serve their terms in correctional centres in the state.

The pardon, in exercise of the governor’s prerogative of mercy, was contained in a statement by the Office of the Special Adviser, Media, Governor’s Office, headed by Crusoe Osagie.

Obaseki ended his tenure as governor on Monday and will today hand over power to the incoming governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo.

Okphebholo’s emergence came after his victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the state, having defeated his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo.

However, as news of his alleged disappearance from the state goes viral, Shuaibu said he was “deeply happy” to be handing over Okpebholo and his deputy.

He said, “I am deeply happy that today has come and I am going to be handing over to a new deputy governor.

When asked what his experience was working with the outgoing governor, Shuaibu said although he was loyal to Obaseki, he “went through a lot” during the administration.

Okpebholo becomes the fifth governor of the state since the Fourth Republic commenced in 1999.