Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State reinstated by the court, has stated that he has forgiven Governor Godwin Obaseki despite feeling marginalized by him.
Speaking to newsmen after a meeting with the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, at the party headquarters in Abuja, Shaibu expressed his decision to forgive Obaseki, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the commandment of loving one’s neighbor.
Shaibu explained that he had made significant sacrifices for Obaseki, including forfeiting his official earnings and entitlements to avoid conflicts. He mentioned that during his tenure, he chose not to apply for personal or official benefits, focusing instead on contributing to the state’s success.
He also criticized the state government’s request for him to return 22 official vehicles, arguing that all but one Jeep purchased by Obaseki during their administration rightfully belong to him.
In his words: “From my own end, I gave everything. I gave all to have him succeed because, for me, it is about the state and the state in everything. So, I gave up all my earnings. Even to my official earnings. I forfeited lots of my official entitlements. Why? Because I didn’t want any trouble or disagreement. And the easiest way you can have disagreements could be money. Even my official entitlement, most of them I didn’t apply for.
“As small as 28 days, that is the first earning that you earn whether as a civil servant or in government, the first and second terms I didn’t have it. That is, anything that has to do with going to meet the governor, to apply for anything even personal entitlements or official entitlements, I didn’t. I confined myself to the official salary that came to me.”
Shaibu expressed his belief that strengthening internal party democracy is crucial for stabilizing Nigeria’s democracy and reducing leadership crises caused by conflicts between personal interests and the wishes of the majority.
Regarding the upcoming Edo State governorship election, Shaibu indicated that the contest is positioned for the APC candidate to win.
