In a dramatic turn of events, reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has openly criticised his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, accusing him of dictatorial tendencies and betrayal. Shaibu, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke candidly about the breakdown in their relationship and his determination to pursue his governorship ambitions.
Shaibu expressed regret that his political aspirations had led to a severe rift with Obaseki. “Had the governor been reasonable and spoken to me well, I would have dropped my governorship ambition to preserve our relationship,” Shaibu said. However, he claimed that Obaseki’s threat to “destroy” him if he did not abandon his plans only strengthened his resolve.
Reflecting on the PDP governorship primary, Shaibu asserted that he had the support of 381 delegates before being excluded from the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, where the primary took place on February 22. “I played high-powered politics and had 400 out of the 572 delegates. Despite losing some support, I had 381 delegates on the day of the primary, but they were refused accreditation,” he said, adding that a court ruling later validated his delegates as the authentic ones.
Shaibu detailed his efforts to maintain a harmonious relationship with Obaseki, despite the governor’s alleged attempts to undermine him. “The truth is that the issues were all political. I declared to contest for the governor of Edo State. That is where the fight started,” he explained. “For me, no man can destroy the plan of God. As an activist, I made up my mind to contest.”
In a pointed critique of Obaseki’s leadership style, Shaibu described the governor as acting like a “military dictator.” He emphasised his commitment to internal democracy and the importance of leadership that fosters unity and progress. “If the governor had shown leadership, maybe I wouldn’t have contested because I am not a desperate person. My ambition is not inordinate,” he remarked.
Addressing allegations that he absconded with 22 official vehicles following his impeachment, Shaibu dismissed the claims as false. “Only one vehicle was bought for my convoy in the seven and a half years of our administration. Every vehicle you see in my convoy, especially the Landcruiser I used, was from my time as the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly,” he clarified.
Shaibu also reflected on his sacrifices and loyalty to Obaseki, revealing that he often forfeited his official entitlements to avoid conflict. “I confined myself within the official salary that came to me. I never made an issue of the lack of resources because I wanted to avoid trouble,” he said.
When asked about the possibility of forgiving Obaseki, Shaibu was contemplative but ultimately affirmed his willingness to move past the grievances. “The only person that is perfect is the Almighty God. None of us is perfect. If all of us can follow the commandment to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself,’ there will be peace in the world,” he stated.
Shaibu’s revelations underscore the deep-seated political tensions within Edo State’s leadership and highlight the complexities of political loyalty and ambition. As the state grapples with these issues, the deputy governor’s defection to the APC and his ongoing legal battles signal a continued struggle for influence and governance in Edo.
