Reinstated Deputy Gov Joins APC

Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu

Shaibu dumps PDP, embraces APC...

Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu defects to APC, declares support for gubernatorial candidate, and alleges 111 unsuccessful attempts to contact Governor Obaseki amidst political crisis and violence in the state.

‘My spirit has left PDP, now in APC,’ Says reinstated Edo deputy gov, Philip Shaibu

Edo State's reinstated Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has made a surprising revelation - he has been effectively functioning as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite still being affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Shaibu clarified that his continued association with the PDP was merely a technicality, as he had not formally defected from the party.

In a statement on Friday, July 19, Shaibu openly declared his support for the APC's gubernatorial candidate in Edo State, signifying a clear shift in his political allegiance. He emphasized that his loyalty had already transitioned away from the PDP, indicating a significant political realignment in the state.

“In PDP now, everybody can support whoever they like. On the issue of supporting a candidate, the constitution guarantees that you can support who you like and you can belong to any political party," Shaibu said.

He added, “As of now, I'm a PDP man and I will not support anybody while I am in another party contrary to who I am supporting. For now, I am a member of PDP but going forward, I am good as being a member of APC; I can tell you that.”

When asked if he appeared to have one foot in the APC and one in the PDP, Shaibu refuted the suggestion, stating, “No, two legs in APC.”

“The only thing that is keeping me in PDP is that I have not officially declared. Talking more seriously, I am actually a member of APC, but not official. My spirit has left PDP for a long time, it is only my leg and body that are still there because my PDP party card is still with me and I have not picked an APC party card yet. But in terms of spirit, my spirit has left PDP and is now in APC.”

Shaibu alleged that he had tried to reach out to Governor Godwin Obaseki, his principal, numerous times - a total of 111 attempts - since the political crisis in the state started, but the governor had ignored his calls and failed to respond or return them.

“I had made up my mind not to call him again, but I always send him texts. Before now, when I started counting, I called him (Obaseki) 111 times during that crisis, but he never picked up. I sent him texts, and he never replied, but it never really mattered. The last text I sent to him was on his birthday,” Shaibu said.

Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, was removed from office on April 8, 2024, after being impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly. However, his impeachment was short-lived, as he was reinstated on July 17, 2024, following a court ruling that declared his removal unjust.

Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Abuja High Court delivered the judgment, ordering Shaibu's immediate reinstatement as Deputy Governor of Edo State, thereby overturning the impeachment decision made by the state's legislature nearly three months prior.

Tragedy struck on Thursday, July 18, when a police officer, Okon, who was attached to the APC gubernatorial candidate, Monday Okpebholo, was killed in a violent attack on their convoy and that of Philip Shaibu in Benin. The incident occurred shortly after their arrival at the Benin Airport, where they had been received by a large crowd of supporters.

The two convoys came under attack by mobs, resulting in the unfortunate death of Officer Okon. Despite the warm welcome initially received at the airport, the situation quickly turned deadly, highlighting the escalating tensions and violence in the state ahead of the September 21 governorship election.