Long before they both took office in 2016, Edo’s immediate past deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, claims he never trusted the state’s previous governor, Godwin Obaseki.
From November 12, 2016, to November 12, 2024, Obaseki presided over Edo State as its governor. Shaibu claimed he was invited to be Obaseki’s running mate in 2016 in order to give the ticket more political weight ahead of the Edo 2024 gubernatorial election.
Obaseki lacked the financial means and political experience to run for office, according to Shaibu. Shaibu reaffirmed that Obaseki is not a politician during his appearance on Channels Television’s “Political Paradigm” show on Tuesday.
“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.”
Shaibu’s relationship with former Edo governor Adams Oshiomhole became strained in the run-up to the 2020 Edo governorship race.
Despite Oshiomhole being Shaibu’s political godfather at the time, Shaibu backed Obaseki against Oshiomhole’s wishes. After Shaibu expressed interest in running for governor of Edo in 2024, Obaseki’s relationship with him deteriorated.
After a falling out with Obaseki, he was then impeached in April 2024 as Edo’s deputy governor. A federal high court in Abuja declared the impeachment void in July.
According to the ruling of presiding judge James Omotosho, Shaibu’s removal was illegal. After that, Shaibu switched to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Shaibu ran against Obaseki’s chosen candidate and PDP governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the 2024 elections. Ighodalo is contesting the results in court after losing the election to APC candidate Monday Okpebholo.
