Phillip Shauibu, the incumbent Deputy Governor of Edo State, has openly confessed his feelings of frustration and betrayal at the lukewarm attitude of his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, to his (Shuaibu’s) governorship aspirations in the forthcoming 2024 governorship election in the state.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Wednesday morning, Shaibu expressed his disappointment and dismay over Obaseki’s decision not to support his bid for the governorship position.
Shaibu also claimed he was instrumental in enhancing the Obaseki administration “both politically and financially”.
According to Shauibu, “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 (the position) 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.”
Speaking on what he now perceives as Obaseki’s betrayal of his governorship dreams, Shuaibu said, “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. 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 added value in terms of my political structure, my finances. All the vehicles that were used to campaign in 2016 were 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.”
It will be recalled that the rift between Governor Obaseki and Shuaibu over the latter’s efforts to succeed his principal burst into the open last year, when Shuaibu filed a lawsuit in federal court to purportedly restrain Obaseki from using his loyalists in the State House of Assembly to impeach Shuaibu ostensibly over the latter’s aspirations to succeed Obaseki in Office.
Shuaibu later withdrew the lawsuit.
Then in August last year, deputy governor Shaibu staged a walk-out during a colloquium in the state after his media aides and security details were earlier allegedly denied entry into the event.
The colloquium was organised by the state government to mark the 60th anniversary of the Midwest Referendum at Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Soundstage in the state.
Then, in September last year, Governor Obaseki relocated Shuaibu’s Office outside the Edo Government House premises to a location close to the Government House.
Shuaibu’s new Office is situated at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, close to the Government House.