Edo Deputy Governor, Shaibu Breaks Silence On Plan To Dump PDP For APC

By Bada Abraham

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu, has opened up on Alleged plan to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to The Vanguard reports, Shuaibu, through his Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana denied dumping the PDP contrary to reports in some sections of the media.

There was a report that went viral on Thursday afternoon that Shaibu had finalized plans to join the APC.

The report claimed that a high-ranking member of the APC reportedly said Shaibu will be accepted into the party early next week by the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

However, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana said the architects of the story were hack writers and mischief-makers who were bent on destabilizing the state.

“They will stop at nothing to widen the gulf between Mr Governor, His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu. They have generated more lies from the pit of hell, saying that Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu has perfected plans to rejoin the All-Progressives Congress, APC next week. There is no iota of truth in this” he said.

Earlier, the Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki said there is no plan to impeach his deputy, however, noted that the move by Shaibu seeking a court order to stop his purported impeachment is preemptive ahead of his defection to the APC.

Governor Obaseki, while briefing journalists in Benin City during a visit by the Edo North leaders, said the deputy governor has been actively engaging with senior actors both at the national and state level of the APC.

The governor stated that Shaibu is negotiating his way into their party, adding that he is at the verge of finalizing moves to defect to the APC.

He said, “Let me put it on record that I am not aware of any plot or any scheme to impeach the Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu. I have also checked and there was no such plan.

“So, the Court action taken, for me, is a thing of shock and disappointment. I am trying to reflect on the move made by somebody that I have given a broad latitude to do his work as deputy governor. So, for him to take this kind of action is shocking” he added.