The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has stated that Gov. Godwin Obaseki betrayed him for not supporting his candidacy in the coming 2024 governorship election.
Shaibu, who claimed he was convinced to serve as Obaseki’s deputy governor, stated that he improved his principal’s government’s political structure and finances.
During an interview with Arise TV on Wednesday, the Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial aspirant expressed disappointment that Obaseki was endorsing an outsider instead of him.
However, he did not say who the outsider was.
“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 being 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 that has won elections before and that can add political value to the ticket,” he said.
Speaking about his perceived betrayal, he stated, “I feel betrayed by the governor. I feel very betrayed. When we go to church, there are certain biblical verses that are becoming meaningful to me.
“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 sense to me.
“I added value in terms of my political structure and 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 to support him even as deputy governor.
“I supported the second-term bid of the governor with my finances. Including how we got the ticket from 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.”
Shaibu comes from the Edo North Senatorial District, from where Adams Oshiomhole, the state’s former governor, hails.
The deputy governor has been in constant dispute with his principal over his political ambitions.
Shaibu had already petitioned an Abuja High Court to prevent Obaseki and members of the state House of Assembly from impeaching him during the height of the controversy.
A petition he later dropped.
