Edo State Deputy Governor, Philips Shaibu, has revealed that he is now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite still being a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In an interview on Arise TV, Shaibu explained that his spirit has left the PDP, and he is now fully committed to the APC. “My spirit has left PDP for a long time, it’s only my leg and body that are still there,” he said.
Shaibu also alleged that he has been trying to reach his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, for months but has been ignored. “I called him 111 times during the crisis, but he never picked up. I sent him texts, and he never replied,” Shaibu said.
The deputy governor’s defection comes after he was reinstated by a court ruling on Wednesday, following his impeachment by the State House of Assembly in April.
Meanwhile, a police officer attached to the APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo, was killed in a mob attack on Thursday, while Shaibu and Okpebholo were welcomed by supporters at the Benin Airport.
Shaibu’s defection is seen as a significant blow to the PDP in Edo State, ahead of the governorship election in September.
