Reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, says the outcome of the recent governorship election in the state justifies his claims that the incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki, is unpopular.
Speaking on Monday during a program on Arise TV, Shaibu asserted that Obaseki has never won an election on his own, emphasizing that the governor has always been helped to secure victory.
Shaibu, who had a falling out with Obaseki due to his ambition to contest the 2024 gubernatorial election, supported the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC the winner of Saturday’s election. Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating Obaseki’s anointed candidate, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes.
Reacting to the election, Shaibu stated that he feels “vindicated,” and expressed hope that Obaseki has learned his lesson from the results. He urged the governor to apologize to the people of Edo State, especially those he had removed from his administration.
Shaibu remarked, “I thank God for it. I am water and I don’t have an enemy. Those who unfortunately decided that I am their enemy, I have always prayed for them to live long and see how God’s miracles continue to work in my life.”
He added, “I am a team player and someone that likes to do my work the way it is, and if I make a mistake, it is a human mistake and not out of envy or wickedness.”
“Yesterday, I was so excited and I am happy that I’m counted among the numbers that helped the APC to regain the seat,” Shaibu continued.
He further dispelled the notion that he could not win his ward, calling it “a lie.” He noted, “I have never lost my ward or unit. The highest votes came from my unit.”
“Even the governor could not win his Local Government. I won my unit, which is number one now, and I won my ward and Local Government, which is also number one. I took first from unit to LG.”
Shaibu then questioned Obaseki’s results, saying, “Where are the governor’s results? He has never won, we only assist him but unfortunately, he got the power and started kicking us out.”
“It is very unfortunate and I hope he learns his lessons. What is left for him now is to go back and apologize to the people of Edo State, and there are a lot of them that he needs to apologize to,” Shaibu concluded.