Edo Gov Inauguration: Shaibu ‘Happy’ To Return APC To Power

Phillip Shaibu, the outgoing Deputy Governor of Edo state says he’s happy that he was part of those that returned the All Progressives Congress, APC, to power in the state.

Shaibu was one of the founding members of the ruling APC but later dumped the party, alongside the outgoing governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki ahead the 2020 governorship election in the south south state, following APC’s refusal to grant Obaseki the ticket to contest.

Obaseki later won the lection.

Close watchers of the state’s politics insist that Shaibu only supported Obaseki with the hope that the governor will in turn pull his weight behind him to be the next governor.

But not long after the election that fight broke out between them over who should  succeed the governor.

The governor had told Shaibu that he cannot succeed him, that he had another candidate in mind.

The politician made the remark, on Tuesday on Channels television, barely few hours to the inauguration of Monday Okpebholo as the governor of the state.

Three months ago, Okpebholo won the governorship election under the APC after beating Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He’s billed to be sworn in today at an elaborate ceremony, at the Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the state capital.

Shaibu, a PDP member worked against the candidate of his party in the election due to the power tussle between him and his principal, Obaseki.

Months after the election has been decided, the former political allies remained in the trenches, as they appear not ready to reconcile their differences.

Speaking today, Shaibu said he  assisted Obaseki to become governor, and also supported him to return to power in 2020, even when the odds were against him to return to government house.

He said he fought other political allies in APC, including a former governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole,  to ensure that the PDP returned to power four years ago.

But today, he said “I’m happy that I’m one of the people” who returned APC to power.

Ahead the inauguration of Okpebholo, the PDP has accused the APC incoming administration of earmarking N5 billion for the ceremony. The PDP has denied the allegation.