Philip Shaibu Dumps PDP, Returns to APC

Reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and rejoined the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Shaibu announced his defection during the APC Edo State inauguration of the National Working Committee for the Edo governorship election meeting held on Saturday, July 20.

At the meeting, Shaibu, 54, declared his intention to defect to the APC and was later officially welcomed into the party by the National Organising Secretary.

This move follows Shaibu’s allegations on Friday, July 19, that his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, had denied him entry into the state.

Philip Shaibu made these claims during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, just two days after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his reinstatement as deputy governor.

“Yesterday, I got intel that the governor has told his men that they must not allow me into town. I am a free-born of Edo State; nobody can stop me from entering Edo State,” Shaibu said.

“The constitution does not allow anybody to bar me from entering Edo State, not even when I am a deputy governor. Even if I am an ordinary citizen, I should have a right. I should have freedom.”

Shaibu also alleged that after he declared his intention to run for the governorship ticket under the PDP in November 2023, Obaseki threatened to destroy him.

Furthermore, he accused the governor of orchestrating an attack on his convoy on Thursday, July 18, which resulted in the death of a police officer in Benin City. Shaibu claimed this attack was Obaseki making good on his promise to destroy him.