Obaseki Was Unknown Before He Became Governor, I Gave Him The Structure To Win -- Deputy Governor Shaibu Laments On Betrayal

 Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has accused his boss and principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, of betrayal for supporting his 2024 governorship bid. 

Shaibu made this known in an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, January 10.

In his words:

“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 said

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Shaibu who claimed he was persuaded to be the deputy governor to Obaseki, said he added value to the governor with political structure and finances.

“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.”

Shaibu said he was hurt that Obaseki was supporting ‘an outsider’ instead of him.  

“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.” he said

Shaibu and Obaseki have been at loggerheads over the former's gubernatorial ambition.

 The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has fixed September 2024 as the date for the Edo state governorship election.