In a surprise move, reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress, (APC).
He made the switch during the APC’s Edo State inauguration of the National Working Committee (NWC) for the governorship election, which took place yesterday.
The meeting was attended by notable figures, including the former governor of Kano State and National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as well as the governors of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Cross-River State, Bassey Otu.
Shaibu’s defection was accompanied by members of the PDP legacy coalition, who also joined the APC. The Edo State APC State Chairman, Jarett Tenebe, and the Governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and Adams Oshiomole were also at the meeting.
Shaibu, who declared his intention to defect to the APC, was received into the Party by the National Organising Secretary.
The development follows an accusation by Shaibu, on Friday, that his principal, Godwin Obaseki, denied him entry into the State. The 54-year-old stated this during an interview on a television programme two days after Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his reinstatement as deputy governor.
Shaibu recalled when he declared his intention to run for the governorship ticket under the PDP in November 2023, alleging Obaseki said he would destroy him.
The deputy governor also accused the governor of orchestrating Thursday’s attack in Benin City, alleging that Obaseki was keeping true to his earlier promise to destroy him.
Describing himself as a devout Catholic, the deputy governor said it is only God that can destroy man and vowed to continue fighting all through the electioneering period until the September 21 governorship election in the State.
During the show, Shaibu said he would work hard to preserve the institution of the office of the deputy governor.
