Our reporter
The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has revealed that he would have abandoned his governorship ambition if Governor Godwin Obaseki had approached him reasonably.
Shaibu, speaking during a courtesy visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee, expressed his disappointment in Obaseki, whom he described as a dictator.
Shaibu, now a member of the APC, stated that his resolve to pursue the governorship increased after Obaseki threatened to destroy him if he did not back down. He emphasized that he had the support of 381 delegates who would have voted for him in the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship primary, which was held on February 22 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
“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,” Shaibu said. He recounted his efforts to pacify Obaseki, but to no avail. “He (Obaseki) said, ‘You cannot contest because I have my plans’. The next thing was that he would destroy me if I continued. For me, no man can destroy the plan of God,” Shaibu stated.
He accused Obaseki of manipulating the primary by refusing accreditation to his delegates and giving the tags to appointees who were not authentic delegates. According to Shaibu, the court has since ruled in his favor, affirming the legitimacy of his delegates.
Shaibu also addressed accusations that he had taken 22 official vehicles after his impeachment. He refuted these claims, stating that the governor had only purchased one official car for his convoy during their administration. “Only one vehicle in the seven and a half years that the governor bought for my convoy. Only one,” he reiterated.
Reflecting on his relationship with Obaseki, Shaibu conveyed his sense of betrayal despite his loyalty and sacrifices. “I gave everything even my official earnings. I forfeited lots of my official entitlement. Why? It is because I didn’t want any trouble or disagreement,” he said.
When asked about forgiving Obaseki, Shaibu showed a willingness to move past the conflict. “The only person that is perfect is the Almighty God. None of us created by God is perfect. One of the greatest commandments in the world is ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ If all of us can actually take to that commandment, there will be peace in the world,” he concluded.
Shaibu’s statements highlight the deep political rift within the Edo State government, underscoring the challenges of maintaining unity and trust in political alliances.
