Philip Shaibu, the immediate past deputy governor of Edo, says he never had faith in Godwin Obaseki, the state’s former governor, long before they both assumed office in 2016.

 

Obaseki served as governor of Edo state from November 12, 2016 to November 12, 2024.

 

Ahead of the Edo 2024 gubernatorial election, Shaibu said he was asked to be Obaseki’s running mate in 2016 to add political value to the ticket.

 

Shaibu also said Obaseki lacked political experience and financial resources to contest the election.

 

Speaking on Tuesday on ‘Political Paradigm’, a programme on Channels Television, Shaibu reiterated that Obaseki is not a politician.

 

“Obaseki is not a politician. We made him governor, Oshiomhole convinced us,” he said.

 

“I was not one of those that believed he shouldn’t be the governor because I didn’t believe in him.

 

 

“When he was brought out to contest, I was the last man standing saying no to him, but out of respect, I was convinced.

 

“Comrade (Oshiomhole) predicted correctly that we needed him because the state was entering a recession and required someone with an economic and private sector background.

 

“We believed comrade’s judgment, but we did not believe in Obaseki. We dismantled our structure and gave him everything.

 

“Second term was a different ball game; it was a time of godfatherism in Edo state.”

 

 

BACKGROUND

In the buildup to the 2020 Edo governorship election, the relationship between Shaibu and Adams Oshiomhole, ex-Edo governor, turned frosty.

 

Shaibu supported Obaseki against the wishes of Oshiomhole.

 

Oshiomhole was Shaibu’s political godfather at the time.

 

The relationship between Obaseki and Shaibu soured after the latter declared interest to contest the 2024 Edo governorship election.

 

Shaibu was impeached as deputy governor of Edo in April 2024 after falling out with Obaseki.

 

In July, a federal high court in Abuja nullified the impeachment. James Omotosho, the presiding judge, held that Shaibu’s ouster violated the provisions of the law.

 

Shaibu defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) afterwards.

 

During the 2024 polls, Shaibu opposed Asue Ighodalo, Obaseki’s anointed candidate and the PDP governorship contender.

 

Ighodalo lost the election to Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate, and is challenging the results in court.