Edo 2024: APC Chieftains Counter Oshiomhole on Philip Shaibu

Edo 2024

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the struggle for the political soul of Edo State has taken a fresh dimension as strategic interests within the All Progressives Congress, APC, are at cross roads.

According to accumulated reports, Adams Oshiomhole, the APC political leader in the State, had, in August 2023, ruled out the possibility of absorbing Philip Shaibu into the party, sensing that the emerging problems between governor Godwin Obaseki and Shaibu at that time would ultimately consume Philip, who was then the deputy governor of the State.

Speaking to journalists in 2023, Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, said, during a condolence visit to the family of late Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri that “APC is not an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camp that accommodates politicians who have lost out in their party.”

This indirect reference to Philip Shaibu sparked lots of reactions across political divides with many PDP stakeholders wading in to resolve the crises between Philip and Obaseki.

However, on Monday, April 8, 2024, the governance arrangement in Edo State took a new shape as the state’s House of Assembly impeached Shaibu as Deputy Governor.

He was impeached during the House’s plenary session in Benin City in a move that began months ago following the soured relationship between Obaseki and his deputy.

Shaibu’s impeachment followed the adoption of the report of a seven-man committee set up by the chief judge of Edo State Justice Daniel Okungbowa to investigate allegations of misconduct against the deputy governor.

In his reaction, Shaibu said his removal by the Edo State House of Assembly would not stand the test of time, adding that the whole exercise was because of the September 21 governorship election in the state.

Just after his reaction and against all expectations, Shaibu received the acting Edo State Chairman of APC, Emperor Jaret Tenebe, in his Abuja residence.

Tenebe, who said he was on a solidarity visit, described the impeachment as a sham and urged Shaibu to use all legal means to upturn the action.

Tenebe’s position and surprisingly so, was barely 24 hours after some APC faithful in Etsako West Local Government Area of Philip Shaibu in Edo State protested against a planned return of the impeached deputy governor to APC.

The visit of Tenebe was the first counter of Adams Oshiomhole’s position that Shaibu would not be accepted into APC after his final fall out with Obaseki which was taken by political analysts as the beginning of Shaibu’s diminishing returns in politics.

“Today they have removed you as the deputy governor but we still regard you as the deputy governor.

“It is the price that you have paid to ensure that Obaseki and his semblance are rooted out of Edo State.

“I can tell you that we will not allow you walk alone, we are with you in spirit.

“You are a strong man and I am here as the chairman of APC in Edo State.

“I am also an Uzairue indigene where we both come from. We should be strong and I implore you to continue to pursue this matter in court.

“We will be with you all through and God is your strength. When one door is closed many more are opened and many are opened for you from today.

“That is what the detractors don’t know, be strong and we will match on together,” Tenebe assured Shaibu during the visit.

In the midst of widening insinuations about his next political direction, Shaibu assured his loyalists that much as the impeachment would noy stand, it will certainly open fresh political doors of opportunities for him in the months ahead.

Then came the voice of a stalwart of APC and a member of the national working committee, Ajibola Basiru, who has said that the former deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu would be welcomed if he decides to join the ruling party.

Basiru, who is the national secretary of APC spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Osogbo capital of Osun on Friday, April 12.

Basiru noted, as against Oshiomhole’s foreclosure that that APC, as a political party, is free entry and exit.

“I read that some people met and said that they don’t want him to join the political party… My approach is this, a political party is like a school, you cannot tell somebody that somebody should not be your classmate in the school.

“It is the proprietor of the school that will determine whether you should be admitted or not.

“When Shaibu applies to the relevant arm of the party then the application will be taken and considered.

“A political party is a free entry and exit organization and in politics, the more the merrier, so the more people you can bring to your doorstep,” Basiru stated with a seal of finality.