The Deputy Governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu is set to dump the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for a yet-to-be-known political party.
The latest development comes after Governor Obaseki’s right-hand man held meetings with rival political leaders during his vacation outside the country last week.
According to a source who spoke with Vanguard newspaper; “Philip Shaibu is one man I admire as a political tactician and Maradona in the Edo political space. Quitting PDP may frustrate the developmental plans of the Obaseki’s administration due to his nuts and bolts experience as a voracious student of politics, as well as his sterling track record and pedigree as a fearless and charismatic lawmaker.”
Another source who spoke with Vanguard said: “This rumour, however, did not come as a huge surprise to many, because the Deputy Governor was once quoted to have said he merely escorted Governor Godwin Obaseki to PDP.”
The source also revealed that the Deputy Governor may not join another party immediately after leaving PDP.
“The Governor’s rigid position on some critical decisions that are now causing considerable disaffection between the Deputy Governor and some of his most loyal and committed supporters, who stood firmly by him, contributed morally and with resources and even risked their lives to deliver the Obaseki/Shaibu ticket and ensure that the Deputy Governor was not disgraced and embarrassed politically in his Constituency, which he shares with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole may have also justified his reason for defection.” Another official privy to the recent happenings said.
The state government is yet to confirm the latest development.
It can be recalled that prior to the 2020 Governorship election in Edo state, Obaseki and Shaibu had defected to the PDP, convincing al their supporters to follow suit.
Shaibu had condemned the actions of Comrade Adams Oshiomole after obtaining his PDP membership card.
He said that Oshiomole had mismanaged the APC at the national level with his undemocratic actions.
“I have a mixed feeling with this action. First, one struggled to form a party and after forming that party, those that benefitted from the party took over the party and became tyrants. It is not always easy that after one helped to form and nurture a party, one individual would say he is an Adolf Hitler in the system and becomes undemocratic. That was what happened in the APC.” Shaibu said
The PDP has not confirmed the development but gave a hint as to what might have caused the recent happenings between Obaseki and Shaibu.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP spokesperson, Mr. Duran Odeyemi said he was not aware of the development.
However, a PDP source revealed that: “It is strange that Obaseki and Shaibu are not in good terms because I know they have a cordial relationship.”
“What I know is that there has been a delay in the appointment of commissioners in the state; the governor wants to bring in some APC members who helped him during the Governorship election but the PDP leadership is not disposed to this. Their argument is that you cannot use our platform without us not benefiting from you. I know that issue has been on ground for sometime now, but it will be resolved.”
