By Abiola Olawale
Impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shaibu might have spiked a defection rumor after receiving the acting Edo state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emperor Jaret Tenebe.
Shaibu who played host to Tenebe at his private residence in Abuja called him “My Chairman”. It would be recalled that the immediate past Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole had insisted that the APC is not ready to receive renegades and betrayals in Edo State, a statement interpreted to be referring to Shaibu. With this latest move, it is not clear how the former Edo governor will react to Shaibu’s move.
The former deputy governor also submitted that his recent impeachment by the state House of Assembly would not stand the test of time. He claimed his impeachment was because of the forthcoming September 21 governorship election in the state.
Shaibu said: “I can assure you, my chairman, I call you my chairman because you are already my chairman and I think you are also one of the reasons they hurriedly did what they did because they know what it takes for you and me to be together and they thought they could use impeachment to get me to succumb but you know that I won’t succumb.
“By the grace of God, I know the judiciary will do the needful because it is an impeachment that I have not been served. So, I want to assure you that my cooperation and my loyalty will remain my weapon and I will definitely be there at all times. Our next target is September 21 and by the grace of God we will get there.”
Tenebe, in his submission, said he was on a solidarity visit, adding that the party won’t leave Shiabu alone in his troubled times.
He also described the impeachment as a sham, urging Shaibu to use all legal means to upturn the action.
“I am here to pay you this solidarity visit because I still regard you as the deputy governor of Edo State because that sham they did in the Edo State House of Assembly is a disgrace to the governor and it is an aberration to our democracy which I know that the court will not allow to stand,” he said.
