The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philips Shaibu, asserted on Friday that he already considers himself an unofficial member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He explained that his continued presence in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is merely because he hasn’t formally left the ruling party in Edo.
Responding to queries about his support for the APC governorship candidate in Edo during an appearance on Arise TV’s morning show, Shaibu maintained that his allegiance had shifted away from the PDP.
“In PDP now, everybody can support whoever they like. On the issue of supporting a candidate, the constitution guarantees that you can support who you like and you can belong to any political party,” Shaibu affirmed.
He added, “As of now, I’m a PDP man and I will not support anybody while I am in another party contrary to who I am supporting. For now, I am a member of PDP but going forward, I am good as being a member of APC; I can tell you that.”
When questioned about straddling both parties, Shaibu rebutted, “No, two legs in APC. The only thing that is keeping me in PDP is that I have not officially declared.
Talking more seriously, I am actually a member of APC, but unofficial. My spirit has left PDP for a long time, it is only my leg and body that are still there because my PDP party card is still with me and I have not picked an APC party card yet. But in terms of spirit, my spirit has left PDP and is now in APC.”
Shaibu also alleged that he had tried to contact Governor Godwin Obaseki numerous times during the state’s political crisis, making 111 calls without a response. He now communicates with Obaseki via text messages, noting that his last message was sent on the governor’s birthday.
Shaibu was impeached by the State House of Assembly on April 8, 2024, but was reinstated following a court ruling on Wednesday by Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Abuja High Court, which deemed his impeachment unjust.
In a separate incident, a police officer named Okon, attached to APC candidate Monday Okpebholo, was killed when mobs attacked their convoy along with Shaibu’s in Benin on Thursday, shortly after their arrival at the Benin Airport around 2 pm amidst a jubilant reception by supporters.
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