Philip Shaibu: How I helped Obaseki when he wasn’t known politically

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has described the refusal of Governor Godwin Obaseki to support his candidature in the upcoming 2024 governorship election as betrayal.

Speaking during an interview with Arise TV, Shaibu said he was persuaded to be the deputy governor to Obaseki, adding that he added value to the government in terms of political structure and his finances.

Shuaibu who is the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant expressed displeasure over Obaseki’s support for an “outsider” instead of him.

He said, “Actually, I was persuaded and there was no protest. I actually didn’t want to be a deputy governor. I was very comfortable in the House of Representatives. It took almost one month to get me to accept to be the deputy governor of Edo State.

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“I accepted to add value to the ticket of Obaseki because Obaseki was not known and he was not one of the politicians. They needed a young, vibrant politician that has won election before and that can add political value to the ticket.

“I feel betrayed by the governor. I feel very betrayed. When we go to church, there are certain biblical verses that are becoming to make meaning to me. There is this particular verse that has been going through my mind: ‘The heart of man is desperately wicked.’ When I see what the governor is doing, the verse now makes meaning to me.

“I added value in terms of my political structure, my finances. All the vehicles that were used to campaign in 2016 are mine.

“I lost about 20% of my political capital in Edo North to support Godwin Obaseki, and in supporting him even as deputy governor. I supported the second term bid of the governor with my finances, including how we got the ticket of the PDP, I contributed financially, both in naira and in dollars. If I say betrayal, it’s an understatement. I feel very hurt and betrayed.”

The deputy governor who has been having a running battle with his principal over his political ambition is from Edo North Senatorial District, the same district as the ex-governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole.

Shaibu had earlier asked an Abuja High Court to stop Obaseki and members of the state House of Assembly from impeaching him at the peak of the dispute, but he later withdrew the case.

Tension heightened between the two when Shaibu was relocated to another office situated outside the Government House.

Shaibu made a formal announcement expressing his desire to compete for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the party primaries in November 2023.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the Edo governorship election will be held on September 21, 2024.