By Goodluck Ikiebe
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, has finalized plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending the speculations amid the political rift between the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy.
A high-ranking member of the APC, who disclosed this to our Correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said Shaibu will be received into the party early next week by the APC National Working Committee (NWC).
The decision by Shaibu to pitch tent with the APC, which was predicted by political analysts, followed his move to the Federal High Court to seek an injunction against an alleged impeachment plot against him.
Governor Obaseki had, however, said the move by Shaibu to seek a court order to stop his purported impeachment is preemptive ahead of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the source, “It has been confirmed. We have on good authority that the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu has concluded plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“He is to be received along a few of his supporters into the party early next week by the National Working Committee of the party. Shaibu has been in talks with the state and national leadership of the party even before the feud between him and the Governor went public and has been negotiating his way back into the party.
“The deputy governor has now perfected his defection to the party and we are glad and ready to receive him into our folds.”
Obaseki had while addressing leaders from Edo North Senatorial District, the senatorial district of the deputy governor, said he was “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 believe that this action by him is a preemptive move to get a court order, keep his ticket and move to another party. I think it’s unfair for our party. We don’t need this sort of crisis.
“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.”
