The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, declared on Friday that he will remain in office until November 11, the date of the upcoming governorship election. This statement follows an Abuja Federal High Court decision reaffirming his position.
In an appearance on Arise TV’s morning show, Shaibu announced his return to office and criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki for not paying him for the past year.
Shaibu stated, “I’m the elected deputy governor of this state, and the court has reaffirmed it. I will be deputy governor till November eleven, even when the governor has not paid. He has not paid for the last one year. I’m a law-abiding citizen, and I will go to the office this morning. If they want to stop me, they should. I will not do anything that would lead to the loss of life. I have been maintaining peace. The office of the deputy governor must be given its rightful respect. I will resume in the office and face my work. If he allows me to see him, I will, and if not, I will face my work.”
Shaibu also revealed that he considers himself an unofficial member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having distanced himself from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He emphasized his support for the APC’s governorship candidate, noting that party affiliations should not restrict one’s right to support any candidate.
Explaining his reasons for backing the APC candidate in Edo State, Shaibu said, “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.”
