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Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has revealed that he never had confidence in ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki’s leadership abilities, even before their joint inauguration on November 12, 2016.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm programme, Shaibu stated,
“Obaseki is not a politician. We made him governor; Oshiomhole convinced us. I was not one of those that believed he should be the governor because I didn’t believe in him.”
Despite his initial reservations, Shaibu explained that he eventually supported Obaseki out of respect and based on assurances from former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole.
“When he was brought out to contest, I was the last man standing saying no to him, but out of respect, I was convinced,” he said. Shaibu further elaborated,
“Comrade predicted well… we needed him because we were going into recession, and we needed someone that has an economic background with private sector knowledge. We believed Comrade; we didn’t believe him.”
Reflecting on their first term in office, Shaibu noted that their political structure was dismantled to accommodate Obaseki, aligning with Oshiomhole’s vision for the state.
“We dismantled our structure and gave him everything,” he remarked.
However, he observed that their second term was characterized by a different political atmosphere, stating,
“Second term was a different ball game; it was a time of godfatherism in Edo State.”
In a related development, Shaibu has expressed his commitment to returning governance to the people of Edo State.
Speaking with journalists during his annual hosting of media practitioners in Benin, he emphasized,
“We need to bring governance back to the people; this spurred my desire to vie for the governorship in 2024.” He added,
“We are taking our state back and we are returning government to our people.”
Shaibu also highlighted his dedication to addressing housing concerns for civil servants and journalists, noting that many face anxiety as retirement approaches due to a lack of personal housing.
He pledged, “By the grace of God, as governor of Edo State, next year, I will make sure that what we have been struggling to get and we have not gotten, housing, I will make it available for all of us in the NUJ.”
Furthermore, Shaibu has asserted that his bid for the governorship is a fight for generational change and not merely a personal ambition.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS, he stated,
“My bid to be governor is a generational change fight; it’s not about whether Governor Obaseki wants me or not.”
He emphasized his commitment to contesting under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing claims of plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Shaibu’s recent political journey has seen significant shifts. In July 2024, he defected to the APC during the party’s inauguration of the National Working Committee for the Edo governorship election.
He was received into the party by the National Organising Secretary, alongside notable figures such as former Kano State Governor and National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, and former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.
Following his impeachment, Shaibu has taken legal action, stating that his fight is to enrich jurisprudence and uphold the dignity of the Deputy Governor’s office.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, he emphasized,
“I’m fighting to enrich our jurisprudence, as this situation shows the need for democratic principles.” He added, “We’re pursuing this to the end to set a precedent in Nigerian jurisprudence.”
Shaibu’s statements and actions underscore the evolving political landscape in Edo State and highlight the complexities of political alliances and leadership dynamics within the region.
