Former deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has revealed the untold story behind his tenure alongside Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH, Shaibu recounts his journey from reluctant acceptance to unforeseen impeachment, shedding light on his foresight and warnings that went unheeded.
Reflecting on his acceptance of the role as Obaseki’s running mate, Shaibu expressed initial reservations.
Despite warnings about potential discord within the administration, Shaibu yielded to pressure from party members, including Chris Okaeben, Washington Osifo, Larry Aghedo, Andrew Momodu, and Abbas Braimoh.
He said; “I envisaged that things would end this way and that things were not going to be fine. That was why I was the last person within our group to accept Obaseki when Comrade Adams Oshiomhole put him forward. Out of respect for Oshiomhole, I accepted. We were also told that he was coming in with private-sector ideas and that there was likely going to be a recession which we would need Obaseki to help us battle. But I warned that this man was going to destroy the house, and it eventually happened.”
“When I was nominated to be Obaseki’s running mate, I was not interested but people in our team like Chris Okaeben, Washington Osifo, Larry Aghedo, Andrew Momodu, and Abbas Braimoh and other young people came to talk to me to accept the offer. They said if I refused the offer, we (the young people) would not have a representative in the government. I accepted reluctantly but I told them that I see a fight in the future. The first year was full of tension but Comrade (Oshiomhole) and his former deputy, Pius Odubu, told me that the government had just started and that I had no choice. Comrade told me I had to be loyal to the governor and that I was at his mercy. That was when I knew something would go wrong.”