By Adewale Ajayi,
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu, has openly expressed feelings of betrayal by his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, concerning the upcoming 2024 governorship election.
Shuaibu, during an interview on Arise TV on Wednesday, said Obaseki’s refusal to support his ambition is because the governor is positioning another person to succeed him.
Shuaibu stated that established platform which led to the election of Obaseki’s predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole the same platform was us to elect the current governor.
He said,
“I fight for justice. I fight for an egalitarian society. ‘I am not fighting the governor, it’s the governor that’s fighting me.
“The same governor gave me a commendation letter that I am the kind of deputy governor any governor is supposed to have because of my accountability.”
He explained that,
“Actually, I was persuaded and there was no protest. I actually didn’t want to be a deputy governor. I was very comfortable in the House of Representatives. It took almost one month to get me accept to be the deputy governor of Edo State.
“I accepted to add value to the ticket of Obaseki because Obaseki was not known and he was not one of the politicians. They needed a young, vibrant politician that has won elections before and that can add
political value to the ticket.”
Speaking further on the perceived betrayal, Shuaibu said,
“I feel betrayed by the governor. I feel very betrayed. When we go to church, there are certain biblical verses that are beginning to make meaning to me. There is this particular verse that has been going through my mind:
‘The heart of man is desperately wicked.’ When I see what the governor is doing, the verse now makes meaning to me.
“I added value in terms of my political structure, my finances. All the vehicles that were used to campaign in 2016 are mine.
“I lost about 20 per cent of my political capital in Edo North to support Godwin Obaseki, and in supporting him even as deputy governor.”
Shauibu added,
“I supported the second term bid of the governor with my finances. Including how we got the ticket of the PDP, I contributed financially, both in naira and in dollars. If I say betrayal, it’s an understatement. I feel very hurt and betrayed.”