The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has expressed his readiness to transfer power to the newly elected governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his deputy, regardless of whether outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki is present at the handover ceremony.
Shaibu’s statement responds to rumors that Obaseki may be absent from the state. Senator Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress candidate, won the September 21, 2024, governorship election against the People’s Democratic Party candidate, Asue Ighodalo. The swearing-in ceremony for Okpebholo is set for today.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Shaibu expressed his satisfaction with the upcoming transition. He said, “I am deeply happy that today has come, and I am going to be handing over to a new deputy governor. Normally, if the governor is not there, the deputy governor will hand over. So whether he is there or not, I am ready to hand over.”
Shaibu also shared insights into his relationship with Obaseki in the final days of their administration, noting, “The governor and I have been apart. He does not communicate with me, and we don’t talk. It is very unfortunate. This is the first time in Edo State that a governor and his deputy will have to part without talking to each other. I made an effort. I have not been seeing him at the government house in the last four days.”
Reflecting on his experience working with Obaseki, Shaibu described his loyalty to the outgoing governor but acknowledged “many challenges” he faced during their administration. He confirmed his recent return to the APC.
“Yes, I am back in APC,” he stated. “I am one of the very young guys that started the APC in Edo State. Because of loyalty, I went with my governor. I decamped from APC to PDP not because I wanted to, but because I was loyal to Obaseki. I left APC because of him, and I am back to APC because of him.”
He concluded by thanking Obaseki for allowing him to “reunite” with his former mentor, Adams Oshiomhole, with whom he had a falling out due to his support for Obaseki. “I thank him for the opportunity to be able to reunite with my father, Oshiomhole, who I quarrelled with because of Obaseki,” he said.
