The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, recently expressed his disappointment in his principal, Godwin Obaseki, for not supporting his 2024 governorship bid. During an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Shaibu claimed that he felt betrayed by Obaseki. He cited a biblical verse that he found relevant to the situation, stating, “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.”
Shaibu stated that he was persuaded to be the deputy governor to Obaseki and added value to his government with political structure and finances. He explained, “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. 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 who has won the election and can add political value to the ticket.”
Shaibu revealed that he was hurt that Obaseki was supporting ‘an outsider’ instead of him. He added, “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.”
It is noteworthy that Shaibu, who hails from the same senatorial district as the ex-governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has been at loggerheads with Obaseki over his political ambitions. Shaibu had previously 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.
Shaibu announced his desire to compete for the Peoples Democratic Party ticket in the party primaries in November 2023. “As your deputy governor in the last seven years, I have had the privilege of working closely with our amiable governor, Godwin Obaseki, to lay a solid foundation for the progress in Edo State,” Shaibu stated during his announcement.
It is pertinent to mention that the Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that the Edo governorship election will be held on September 21, 2024.
