The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has voiced his feelings of betrayal by his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, for not supporting his candidacy in the upcoming 2024 governorship election. In an interview on Arise TV, Shaibu expressed his hurt, citing his instrumental role in adding political value to Obaseki’s government, both in terms of political structure and finances.
Shaibu, who claimed he was initially hesitant to be the deputy governor, stated that he was persuaded to contribute to the political ticket and campaign. He emphasized the importance of his political capital in Edo North and highlighted his financial contributions to Obaseki’s second-term bid, including funding the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) ticket acquisition.
“I feel betrayed by the governor. I feel very betrayed,” said Shaibu. “When we go to church, there are certain biblical verses that are becoming to make meaning 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 meaning to me.”
The deputy governor revealed that he had lost about 20% of his political capital in Edo North while supporting Obaseki, even to the extent of contributing financially. He criticized the governor for backing an outsider instead of supporting his political ambitions, expressing deep hurt and disappointment.
Philip Shaibu, from Edo North Senatorial District, shares the same district as former governor Adams Oshiomhole. Tensions between Shaibu and Obaseki have been escalating, with the deputy governor previously seeking a court order to prevent his impeachment and subsequently withdrawing the case.
The recent revelation of feeling betrayed adds another layer to the ongoing rift between the two prominent figures in Edo State politics. The political landscape in the state remains dynamic as the 2024 governorship election approaches, and the internal dynamics within the PDP continue to unfold.
