*Shaibu may join APC next week
Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
Against the backdrop of crisis between Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, over a successor in 2024, and the speculation that the latter was in talks with the All Progressives Congress (APC) for possible decamping, former Governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, declared that APC was not an IDP camp or a rehabilitation centre.
Oshiomhole who stated this after he paid condolence visit to the family of the late Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri, said he was happy as an opposition in Edo State, and was not ready to receive people who are coming into the party because they lost out from their political party.
The former National Chairman of APC, and now Senator, representing Edo South senatorial district, noted that regardless of party divide, he wants the state to be governed in peace and harmony.
He, however, frowned at a situation where someone would rush to court over suspicion about impeachment, adding that he does not know how the court would adjudicate on matters over suspicion.
He rather advised strongly that those having challenges in the political party should learn how to respect their bosses and learn to be loyal.
Oshiomhole recalled that during his time as governor, it was obvious that he did not support the aspiration of his then deputy to succeed him and the latter did not take him to court.
He further said he won’t associate with anyone whose sole aim was to profit from crisis, pointing out that in as much as he would cherish that his clan should produce the next governor of Edo, in the principle of fair play, equity and justice, others in the state should be supported.
His words: “Regardless of party divide, my wish for Edo to be govern in peace and harmony.
“About somebody going to court to complain about being suspicious of being Impeached, I don’t know how court can adjudicate over suspicion.
“Let me tell you this, to say that somebody wants to run to APC, I want to say APC is not a rehabilitation centre.
“We in APC are satisfied the way we are; we are happy in opposition. We are not about to receive people who are coming because they have lost out. I want to say no IDP camp in APC.
“My advice is, those who are having challenges, should learn how to respect their bosses. I also advise people that anyone you work with, be loyal.”
He also said, “Many of you will attest to the fact that my deputy was interested in succeeding me, and I didn’t support him, but my deputy didn’t take me to court.
“And if there are people whose sole means is to profit from crisis, such person people cannot get my support.
“It would be nice if ordinarily my clan produce the governor of Edo State, but Nigeria doesn’t work that way. So, based on the principal of fairness, it should be fair others produce the governor.”
Meanwhile, strong indications have emerged that Shaibu has finalised plans to join the APC.
A high-ranking member of the APC, who disclosed this on the condition of anonymity, said Shaibu would be received into the party early next week by the APC National Working Committee (NWC).
The decision by Shaibu to pitch tent with the APC, which was predicted by political analysts, followed his move to the Federal High Court to seek an injunction against an alleged impeachment plot against him.
Obaseki had, however, said the move by Shaibu to seek a court order to stop his purported impeachment was preemptive ahead of his defection to the APC.
According to the source, “It has been confirmed. We have on good authority that the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu, has concluded plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“He is to be received along a few of his supporters into the party early next week by the National Working Committee of the party. Shaibu has been in talks with the state and national leadership of the party even before the feud between him and the governor went public and has been negotiating his way back into the party.
“The deputy governor has now perfected his defection to the party and we are glad and ready to receive him into our folds.”
Obaseki had while addressing leaders from Edo North Senatorial District, the senatorial district of the deputy governor said the he was “not aware of any plot or any scheme to impeach the Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu. I have also checked and there was no such plan.
“So, the Court action taken, for me, is a thing of shock and disappointment. I believe that this action by him is a preemptive move to get a court order, keep his ticket and move to another party. I think it’s unfair for our party. We don’t need this sort of crisis.
“I am trying to reflect on the move made by somebody that I have given a broad latitude to do his work as deputy governor. So, for him to take this kind of action is shocking.”
