The deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Shaibu made the announcement on Saturday during the inauguration of the APC’s national campaign council for the September 21 governorship election in the state.
The deputy governor was accompanied by other members of the PDP legacy coalition group, who also defected to the APC.
Umar Ganduje, the national chairman of the APC, and other members of the National Working Committee, welcomed Shaibu and his group, stating that they have come to add value to the party.
Shaibu was warmly received by Adams Oshiomhole, whom he referred to as his father. The deputy governor’s defection comes after a prolonged dispute with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, over his governorship ambition.
The dispute led to Shaibu’s impeachment by the State House of Assembly on March 18, but the Federal High Court in Abuja voided the impeachment on Wednesday, citing that the offence did not amount to misconduct.
Shaibu’s defection is seen as a significant boost to the APC’s chances in the upcoming governorship election, with the party’s national chairman expressing confidence that they will take over the state.
