- APC: “Rather than Ask Shaibu to Resign, PDP Should Suspend Obaseki”
- PDP: “The honourable thing he should have done is to resign from the PDP”
By Tolúlopé Olátúnjí
The ongoing conflict between the Edo State chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Tuesday, with the PDP describing the call for the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, to resign as “irritating and baseless.”
Recall that Shaibu, who was impeached on April 8, 2024, but remains a PDP member, recently called his party’s candidate in the September 21 governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, an outsider.
The New Diplomat reports that Shaibu, who lost to Ighodalo in the PDP governorship primary election, announced his support for the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Sunday, describing him as a “homeboy” fit to govern Edo State.
In a swift response, the Deputy Director of Media for the PDP, Rev. Olu Martin, the party called for Shaibu’s resignation from the party, criticizing him for undermining the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Ighodalo.
Martin said: “ I thought Shaibu will tell us that the candidate he wants to support has the capacity, intelligence, knack for excellence and smarts which is the hallmark of a great leader.”
“The honourable thing he should have done is to resign from the PDP like others and support the APC candidate. His argument is that of weak people,” Martin added.
Martin said he thought Shaibu would highlight the capacity, intelligence, knack for excellence, and smartness of the candidate he supports, which are the hallmarks of a great leader.
He asked Shaibu to resign from the PDP, like others, and support the APC candidate, describing Shaibu’s argument as weak.
“The honourable thing he should have done is to resign from the PDP like others and support the APC candidate. His argument is that of weak people,” Martin added.
However, in a statement issued by APC Publicity Director in the state, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, the party defended Shaibu, accusing the PDP of leading the party to political oblivion and outrightly condemning the call for Shaibu’s resignation for supporting Okpebholo.
The statement reads:”The All Progressives Congress wishes to call on Nigerians and Edo people, in particular, to ignore the irritating and baseless call on a former deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, to resign his membership of the drowning Peoples Democratic Party, because of his open declaration of support for Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the APC,”
Omo-Ojo criticized the PDP for not recognizing the extent of its internal crisis, claiming that most politically relevant members have left the party and that those remaining are merely waiting to “bury the party.”
“Rather than ask Shaibu to resign, PDP should suspend their outgoing governor, Obaseki, for leading them to political obscurity in Edo State,” Omo-Ojo added, praising Shaibu as a significant political figure and “a true definition of homeboy.”
Meanwhile, the APC also advised the PDP to focus on presenting a clear agenda to Edo State voters, criticizing Ighodalo and his running mate for their lack of substantial development contributions during their years of service.
Additionally, the APC demanded an independent inquiry into recent allegations of leaked examination questions in the state’s education system, which the party claims have marred the Edo Best education program since 2020.
The escalating tensions highlight the deepening political divide in Edo State as parties prepare for the upcoming governorship election.
