In a recent statement, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State justified his choice not to endorse his former deputy, Philip Shaibu, as his potential successor, emphasizing that his decision was driven by a commitment to safeguarding the interests of the state’s residents.
Obaseki expressed his reluctance to support Shaibu’s gubernatorial aspirations, citing prevailing political dynamics within Edo State that were not conducive to Shaibu’s candidacy.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the governor addressed the discord between himself and his former deputy leading up to the Peoples Democratic Party primary election.
The rift culminated in Shaibu organizing a parallel primary election that purportedly named him a candidate, a declaration that was subsequently dismissed by the party. As a result of the rift with Obaseki, the state House of Assembly proceeded to impeach Shaibu.
Reflecting on the situation, Obaseki remarked, “It was evident to me that his ambition faced unfavorable odds in the bid to succeed me, and I conveyed this clearly.” He added, “I couldn’t afford to take a chance on his ambition when it meant safeguarding the interests of the people of Edo State.”
Responding to his impeachment, Shaibu denounced the act as an affront to the nation’s democratic principles.
In a video post on social media, Shaibu asserted, “This is not just an attack on me personally but on the democratic values that we cherish.”
“It signifies a troubling drift towards authoritarianism and poses a threat to the core of our democratic foundations. Let it be known that this impeachment was driven by my desire to vie for the Edo State governorship in 2024 under the People’s Democratic Party, a legitimate aspiration for all Nigerian citizens.”