The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu said he feels betrayed by his principal, Godwin Obaseki, not supporting his 2024 governorship bid.
Shaibu stated this in an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday.
He said, “I feel betrayed by the governor. I feel very betrayed. When we go to church, there are certain biblical verses that are becoming 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 added.
Claiming that he was persuaded to be the deputy governor to Obaseki, Shaibu said he added value to Obaseki’s government with political structure and finances.
He said, “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 the deputy governor of Edo State.
“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 the 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.”
The Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant said he was hurt that Obaseki was supporting ‘an outsider’ instead of him.
Shaibu further stated, “I added value in terms of my political structure, my finances. All the vehicles that were used to campaign in 2016 are mine.
“I lost about 20% of my political capital in Edo North to support Godwin Obaseki, and in supporting him even as 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’s an understatement. I feel very hurt and betrayed.”
Recall that Shaibu, who came from Edo North Senatorial District, the same district as the ex-governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, has been at loggerheards with Obaseki over his political ambitions.
Shaibu had earlier asked an Abuja High Court to stop Obaseki and members of the state House of Assembly from impeaching him at the peak of the dispute, buy he later withdrew the case.
The Edo deputy governor made a formal announcement expressing his desire to compete for the Peoples Democratic Party ticket in the party primaries in November 2023.
“As your deputy governor in the last seven years, I have had the privilege of working closely with our amiable governor, Godwin Obaseki, to lay a solid foundation for the progress in Edo State,” Shaibu stated during his announcement.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced that the Edo governorship election will be held on September 21, 2024.
