Philip Shaibu And The Edo 2024 Challenges
OpenLife Nigeria reports that at a time, Philip Shaibu, Edo State deputy governor, was the man of the moment. He could represent governor Godwin Obaseki in important official and unofficial meetings where serious chief executive inputs were needed.
So romantic was the relationship that on several occasions, Obaseki deliberately embarked on vacations outside Nigeria and handed over the reins of governance to Philip Shaibu, in which case, crucial and sensitive executive decisions taken by Shaibu, on behalf of the governor, were never reversed.
By June 2021, governor Obaseki had leveraged the political terrain for Philip Shaibu to materialize to such a level that the National Working Committee, NWC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saddled him with the rare opportunity to manage the Anambra State PDP Governorship Primary Election in the capacity of Committee Secretary.
So gracious did the Lord prosper Philip Shaibu’s political journey that he has succeeded in building a political sanctuary for himself with lots of devotees across Edo Senatorial districts and beyond.
Assisted, of course, by his youthful gift of appearance and unassailable friendly inter personal relationship imbued in a somewhat political sagacity, it was not difficult for lots of folks to see him as an undisputed successor to Obaseki in Dennis Osadebey Government House.
Without doubt and by actions and inactions, Philip Shaibu had come as a trusted fellow when it matters most.
He demonstrated rare loyalty at the heat of the 2020 government election in Edo when the All Progressives Congress, APC denied Godwin Obaseki the ticket.
Felt dismayed, Philip Shaibu stood with his boss in the fight against Adams Oshiomhole and his coterie of associates that led the onslaught against Obaseki’s re election.
His commitments and supports to the victory of Obaseki, even when they were relatively new in PDP, endeared him to major stakeholders across divide
In the circle of public affairs analysts, the Edo 2024 governorship ticket on the PDP platform was a done deal for Philip Shaibu. With confidence, many had opined a repeat of the Kano State scenario where then deputy governor
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje succeeded his boss, governor Rabiu Kwakwanso.
However, and surprisingly so, folks did not know that for Philip Shaibu to get governor Obaseki’s support, terms and conditions were laid bare and it was either he passed the examination or forget 2024 under PDP.
According to a highly credible insider, “One of the conditions Obaseki gave Philip Shaibu was that he must deliver his Edo North Senatorial District to PDP in the just concluded 2023 general election. The governor also told him that even if he was not able to capture Edo North wholesale for PDP, he should , at least, deliver more than 50 percent. But unfortunately, you know Philip Shaibu did not even win his polling unit let alone his ward. Adams Oshiomhole defeated him. From there, Philip Shaibu knew that the governor will not give him the ticket. He has seen the handwriting on the wall and that is why he is running from pillar to post and trying to see if he can woo Oshiomhole to his side and get the APC ticket.”
So bad is the relationship between the two former political bedfellows that OpenLife’s insider disclosed further that “The governor locked Philip Shaibu out in a PDP leaders meeting last week in Benin. They don’t see eye to eye again. Philip Shaibu has started romancing enemies of governor Obaseki. That means that the battle line has been drawn.”
As a confirmation that things have fallen apart irretrievably between the two, Philip Shaibu took to his Facebook wall recently to announce his joy being in APC camp.
“I was in the National Assembly Today, Tuesday, to be part of the Inauguration of the 10th National Assembly and election of some presiding officers of both Chambers. It was quite a memorable one being in the midst of my old colleagues. I really had a good time.”
The sustainability of his “Good time” in APC would be an interesting item in the enclave of analysts in the weeks ahead.
Born on December 1, 1969, in Kaduna to Pastor Francis Shaibu and Lucy Momoh of blessed memories, Philip Shaibu hails from Jattu Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
He started his education at St. Augustine Primary School, Tundu Wada Kaduna but finished at L.E.A Primary School Barnawa, Kaduna State.
He thereafter, proceeded to Saudana Memorial Secondary School, Kawo Kaduna where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1989. In 1995, he got admitted into the University of Jos and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Accounting in 2000.
He had a stint at the Nigerian Prison Service, Abuja but voluntarily retired as an Assistant Inspector of Prisons in 2002 before venturing into politics in 2003.
In 2003, he contested for Etsako West Constituency under the platform of the All Nigerians Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost. In 2007, he contested and won under Action Congress (AC).
Upon inauguration into the House, Shaibu was appointed the Minority whip of the 4th Assembly, and became the chairman house committee on education.
Shaibu became Majority Leader in 2010 and Chairman House Committee on Rules, Business and Government House.
He was re-elected into the house in 2011 and became House Majority Leader.
Shaibu maintained his position as chairman house committee committee on Rules, Business and Government House even in the 5th Assembly until June of 2015 when he was elected as member of House of Representatives to represent The Etsako Federal constituency in Abuja.
Before all of these, Shaibu was elected the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in the year 2000.
A passionate and dedicated catholic, Philip shaibu who also obtained an MBA from the University of Benin, is happily married and blessed with lovely kids. At his leisure, he plays golf, soccer as well as read including research.
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