The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of betrayal, alleging that Obaseki supported another aspirant in the upcoming September 21 governorship election. Shaibu, who is seeking to become the next governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed regret for supporting Obaseki’s second-term bid in 2020 and claimed that he felt betrayed by the governor.
During an interview on Arise TV, Shaibu disclosed that he had added political value, political structures, and finances to support Obaseki’s political ambitions. He mentioned his contribution to securing the PDP ticket for Obaseki and financial support during the second term bid. However, he now feels hurt and betrayed by the governor’s alleged backing of another aspirant.
In a related development, another PDP governorship aspirant, John Yakubu, withdrew from the race on Wednesday, stepping down for a former Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, Asue Ighodalo, who is believed to be Obaseki’s preferred candidate. This move follows the withdrawal of four other aspirants and the endorsement of Ighodalo by PDP leaders from Edo North.
Additionally, a former Minister of Works, Mike Onolomemen, alleged that Obaseki’s manipulation of the PDP senatorial primaries forced him to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Onolomemen, a governorship aspirant on the APC platform, cited dissatisfaction with the handling of the primaries as the reason for leaving the PDP.
The Edo Central PDP Special Committee, led by former Foreign Affairs Minister Chief Tom Ikimi, is expected to announce its consensus aspirant on Thursday. The developments underscore the political dynamics and tensions within the PDP ahead of the governorship election in Edo State.
