There are strong indications coming out from the state that the Deputy Governor and strong pillar of the Godwin Obaseki led PDP party, Mr Philip Shaibu, will dump the ruling party (PDP) in the state.
Although his next camp is still unknown, this development was set have been kick-started during the recent run of stake-holder meetings held outside the country when the deputy was out for vacation before his return to Nigeria last week.
A source who spoke under condition of anonymity, said: “This rumour however did not come as a huge surprise to many, because the deputy Governor was once quoted to have said he merely escorted Governor Godwin Obaseki to PDP.”
Even though it is believed that he may not pitch net with another political party immediately after, he is surely a valuable asset for any party he moves to later on.
He evidently played a key role in the second coming and re-election of his present boss, Godwin Obaseki, to be able to out-wit and out-maneuver his erstwhile political god-father and former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomole, who was rooting for the APC candidate.
As many would have thought that it will be his time to ascend the throne come 2023 when his present boss will be handing over the reins of affairs to him, why abandon such a ship at this juncture?
It might not be unconnected to the Governors rigid stance and style of leadership which has seen the administration not constituted in its team since taking oath of office. Political offices have remained empty and these hasn’t really gone down well with so many sections of the party loyalists who had hopes of being elected by the Governor.
If the deputy Governor dumps the party eventually, it will surely add credence to why former governor and political father, Adams Oshiomole, resisted him (Godwin Obaseki) becoming the Governor of the state, as he knew he had such autocratic tendencies.
It will be recalled that prior to the 2020 elections, the present Governor and his deputy led their supporters to move to the PDP from the APC when it became clear that the party was not ready to present him as the party flag bearer for the elections.
The deputy Governor Philip Shaibu had also condemned the undemocratic way that Comrade Adams Oshiomole had handled the APC affairs at the national level and promised that such will be resisted in Edo State.
The PDP has remained mute on this issue as no official correspondence has been released as at the time of filling this report to either admit or debunk the rumour.
When contacted, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Duran Odeyemi said he was not aware of the development.
