Obaseki didn’t have money to contest in 2016, we made him – Philip Shaibu

The deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu, has debunked the notion that governor Godwin Obaseki gave him political relevance.

Speaking Friday on Channels Television’s Politics Today, he claimed the reverse is the case.

Shaibu said he was asked to be Obaseki’s running mate in 2016 to bring political value to the ticket.

According to him, the Edo governor lacked both political experience and financial resources to contest the election.

He said: “We made Obaseki governor. Obaseki was not a politician, and Obaseki was not financially strong enough to contest the election. Oshiomhole brought him, and when Oshiomhole brought him, some of us argued that it could not be him.

“It took Oshiomhole three months to convince some of our supporters and me to support Obaseki. And when we decided because of Oshiomhole, because of our respect for him, to support him (Obaseki), he did not bring money. We brought our resources and our friends to bring money and we brought our political capital to make him governor.

“He is not the one that made me; I made him. I was asked to be his deputy to add political value because he was not a politician.”

Though former allies, Shaibu and his principal are currently embroiled in a feud over the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state.

Shaibu was reinstated by a Federal High Court following his impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly over allegations of misconduct.

However, Obaseki has refused to recognise his erstwhile henchman, insisting that an appeal has been launched challenging his reinstatement.