By Adesina Soyooye
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, stopped short of calling his boss, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, a wicked soul. Shaibu, who spoke Wednesday on Arise Television lamented what he termed a monumental betrayal of him by Obaseki. The Governor is strongly opposed to Shaibu’s Governorship ambition. He said it was a shock to him that Obaseki would choose to support ‘a stranger’ instead of him, considering the financial, moral and political support he gave Obaseki, and especially in the development of Edo State.
Shaibu: “I feel betrayed by the Governor. I feel very betrayed. When we go to Church, there are certain Biblical verses that are beginning 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.”
He revealed that he had no intention of becoming a Deputy Governor at the time he was approached to run with Obaseki because he was comfortable in his position as a member of the House of Representatives. He said it took one month to convince him to run with Obaseki as he was not interested.
Shaibu: “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 to be 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 election before and that can add political value to the ticket.
“I added value in terms of my political structure, my finances. All the vehicles that were used to campaign in 2016 were mine.
I lost about 20% of my political capital in Edo North to support Godwin Obaseki, and in supporting him even as a Deputy Governor.
“I supported the second term bid of the Governor with my finances, including how we got the ticket of the PDP. I contributed financially both in Naira and in Dollars. If I say betrayal, it is an understatement. I feel very hurt and betrayed.”
Shaibu and Obaseki fell apart over Shaibu’s ambition to succeed him in office.
Obaseki is strongly supporting a Lagos-based Lawyer and Corporate guru, Asue Ighodalo, who already, it is said, has the support of Edo PDP.
