‘I feel betrayed’ — Shaibu says Obaseki supporting ‘outsider’ to become next Edo governor

Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo, says he feels betrayed that his principal, Godwin Obaseki, is not supporting his governorship ambition.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Shaibu said he contributed massively to the reelection of Obaseki in 2020.

The governorship election in the state is slated for September 21.

In November 2023, Shaibu declared his ambition to contest the 2024 governorship election in Edo on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The declaration was made amid the political tension between Shaibu and Obaseki.

Sources in Edo hinted TheCable that Obaseki is backing Asue Ighodalo, a former chairman of Sterling Bank, to succeed him.

During the interview, Shaibu said Obaseki is trying to bring an “outsider” to become the next governor of the state, noting that the people of Edo will resist it.

He accused the governor of using state resources to “procure” support for his preferred candidate.

“The people of Edo state do not want an outsider. The governor is trying to bring in an outsider. We will resist it,” he said.

“Contesting the governorship election is not just a fluke. I can see the organic support. My support is not procured just the way the governor is using taxpayers’ money to procure support for his candidate.”

Shaibu lamented that he was duped while supporting the governor’s second-term bid in 2020.

“I feel betrayed by the governor. I feel very betrayed. When we go to church, there are certain Biblical verses that are beginning to make meaning to me,” he said.

“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.

“I supported the second term bid of the governor with my structures, vehicles, and finances, including how we got the ticket of PDP. I contributed financially, both in naira and dollars, and I discovered I was even duped.

“If I say betrayal, it is an understatement. I feel very hurt and betrayed.”

Over the past few months, the relationship between Obaseki and Shaibu has turned sour. The governor even ordered that the office of his deputy governor be relocated away from the government house.