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Tag: Philip Shaibu

  • BREAKING: Real reason I returned to APC – Philip Shaibu

    BREAKING: Real reason I returned to APC – Philip Shaibu

    Reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) “holds a special place in my heart”.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Shaibu said this on Saturday when he officially defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

    “It is a triumphant homecoming for me, as I officially return to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party where I am accepted, valued, and welcomed with open arms.

    “The party holds a special place in my heart, and where I have shared countless memories. I am grateful to be back among the people and community that have always supported me, and to reunite with my political family,” he stated.

    Oshiomhole warmly welcomes Shaibu back to APC

    TNG reports Senator Adams Oshiomhole, whom Shaibu refers to as his father, warmly welcomed the reinstated Deputy Governor back into the APC on Saturday.

    Recall that the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo was a member of the APC until 16 June 2020 when he resigned membership of the party.

    Shaibu was embraced by Oshiomhole when he alongside other members of the PDP legacy coalition group announced his defection in Benin at the inauguration of the National Campaign Council of the party for the September 21 Governorship election in the State.

    Dr Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the APC and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), who also received the Deputy Governor, said they have come to add value to the party.

    According to him, the opposition party will certainly take over the state after the governorship poll.

    Recall trouble started for Shaibu in the PDP when he showed interest in the governorship seat.

    The ambition pitched the deputy governor against his principal, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, which eventually led to the impeachment of the deputy on March 18 by the State House of Assembly.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, however, voided the impeachment on Wednesday, noting that the offence upon which he was removed did not amount to misconduct.

    Earlier, Chairman of the APC in Edo, Jarrett Tenebe had on Friday paid Shaibu a solidarity visit, following and attack that led to the death of a police officer at Benin Airport.

    Shaibu alleged that the attack was targeted at his life and that it was perpetrated by state-sponsored thugs.

    Tenebe, joined by other APC chieftains, unequivocally condemned the heinous act and celebrated the recent victory of Shaibu at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “During our meeting, we honoured the memory of the gallant police officer attached to the APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo’s security detail, who tragically lost his life in the unwarranted attack, with a minute of silence — May his soul rest in peace!

    “I appreciate the APC Chairman’s unwavering support and kind words, which have consistently lifted my spirits throughout this ordeal with the state government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His leadership and care are exemplary, and I commend him for embodying the true spirit of leadership,” he stated.

  • BREAKING: Reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo, Shaibu joins APC

    BREAKING: Reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo, Shaibu joins APC

    The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, alongside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legacy coalition members in his company, have defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Shaibu on Saturday officially defected from the PDP to the APC alongside other members of the PDP legacy coalition group.

    The reinstated Deputy Governor announced his defection in Benin at the inauguration of the National Campaign Council of the APC for the September 21 Governorship election in the State.

    Dr Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the APC and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), who received the Deputy Governor, said they have come to add value to the party.

    According to him, the opposition party will certainly take over the State after the governorship poll.

    Shaibu was also warmly embraced by Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, whom the Deputy Governor referred to as his father.

    Recall trouble started for Shaibu in the PDP when he showed interest in the governorship seat.

    The ambition pitched the Deputy Governor against his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, which eventually led to the impeachment of the Deputy on March 18 by the State House of Assembly.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, however, voided the impeachment on Wednesday, noting that the offence upon which he was removed did not amount to misconduct.

  • Edo govt kicks as Shaibu resumes as Deputy Governor

    Edo govt kicks as Shaibu resumes as Deputy Governor

    Mr Philip Shaibu says he has resumed as the Deputy Governor of Edo State and recalled all the aides in his office.

    Shaibu said this on Friday in Benin City while stressing that he would be working from home to prevent any confrontation.

    ”I have resumed, recalled all my staff. I will be working from private residence to prevent any confrontation. I remain the deputy governor. All salaries and entitlement will be paid,” he said.

    Shaibu said the Thursday’s gun attack on him and the APC Governorship Candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, was an assassination attempt allegedly orchestrated by the state government.

    Shaibu, while reacting to the attack, said he was taken aback by the ugly incident that claimed the life of a police officer.

    He noted that he had in the last one year avoided many calls for a protest over his ordeal to forestall any kind of confrontation with state government and its agents.

    The state government, through its Commissioner for Communucation and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Project, Crusoe Osagie had blamed Shaibu for the mayhem.

    The state government alleged that Shaibu allegedly mobilized armed thugs to wait for him at the Benin Airport.

    Shaibu said he found the allegation very funny, querying the logic in him mobilising thugs, yet was attacked, leading to the killing of police officer in his convoy.

    He noted, however, that he had instituted a N50 billion suit against the Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Commissioner and the media aide for defaming his character.

    According to him, it is surprising that Nehikhare and Osagie are insisting that he remained impeached when they have refused to study the court judgment.

    He slammed the state government for issuing a statement on the judgment it never reviewed, saying there were many gaps in the administration of the state.

    The judgment reinstating him, he said, was declarative and had to be carried out before an appeal could be entertained in the case.

    “I can tell you that Thursday attack was planned by the state governor to assassinate me. The governor vowed to destroy me when I remained resolute to vie for the position of the governor.

    “They said I was the one who planned the attack but I came in peacefully from Abuja to the state capital. Why were the armed thugs laying ambush for me? Were they expecting a visitor?

    “I have already instituted a N50 billion suit against the governor, Nehikhare and Osagie for defamation. They will be served next week.

    Edo Govt. calls on FG to investigate Benin Airport attack

    Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has called on the Federal Government to set up a panel to unravel the cause of the shooting that claimed the life of a police officer at Benin Airport gate.

    Recall that a police officer attached to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Monday Okpebholo, was on Thursday shot dead during a clash at the exit gate of the Benin airport.

    Mr Chris Nehikhare, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, told newsmen on Friday in Benin that the state commissioner of police was a witness to what happened at the Benin Airport.

    “Shaibu got judgment and flew to Benin with his friends and before entry Benin he mobilised armed thugs to wait for him at the Benin Airport.

    “And on arrival, they unleashed mayhem on the innocent people of Edo state and in the process a police officer was killed and many others were injured.

    “The state commissioner of police had intelligence report and went to the airport to caution him not to allow his boys to assemble at the airport or anywhere in the state he defied the advice.

    “We had appealed the judgment reinstating him as the deputy governor and filled for stay of execution immediately we got Certified True Copy (CTC); and he was shown the restraining order from the court.

    “The CP should be arresting him, because, as it stands today, he is not the deputy governor and has no immunity.

    “We are now calling on the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police to look into the crisis.

    “The whole thing happened in the presence of the commissioner of police and he is one of the witnesses,” he said.

    Nehikhare disclosed that the state government would no longer fold its arms and watch thugs cause mayhem the state.

    He said that efforts were being made to ensure that the violence did not degenerate further, adding that the government was resolute that election would be free and fair in the state.

    According to him, the opposition party wants to draw the attention of the Federal government and create the impression of anarchy and call for state of emergency.

    He called on the residents of the state to remain calm, adding that government was working round the clock to ensure a peaceful state ahead of the Sept. 21.governorship election.

    In his reaction, the reinstated Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, denied the allegations, stressing that he would never sponsor an attack against himself.

    “What happened yesterday was an assassination attempt on my life.

    “When I was impeached, Shaibu that you know would have protested on the street of Benin but I decided that I do not want to take people to the street and get them killed.

    “So, I decided to use the court to prove that the impeachment was unlawful; but unfortunately, what I tried to avoid by not protesting still happened yesterday.

    “And I feel sad about it because am a peaceful person.

    “This fight is not about me, but one that is targeted at restoring dignity and respect to the office of the deputy governor,” he said.

    He said he never envisaged that he and the governor would be on the path they were currently.

    “I thank God that I never betrayed him,’’ he said.

  • APC candidate, Okpebholo will be next Gov of Edo – Philip Shaibu

    APC candidate, Okpebholo will be next Gov of Edo – Philip Shaibu

    Reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has declared that Senator Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship in the State will emerge victorious.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Shaibu declared this in Benin when the Chairman of the APC in the State, Mr Jarrett Tenebe paid him a solidarity visit at his private residence, following Thursday’s attack on his convoy at the Benin Airport.

    The reinstated Deputy Governor commended Mr Tenebe for always calling to uplift his spirit since his ordeal begun with the PDP. According to him, that level of care is what is needed in leadership.

    “The State chairman of the PDP never put a call to me or tried to resolve the party crisis, even when I have demonstrated that I am a core party man.

    “By God’s grace, Sen. Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa of the APC will be the next governor and deputy in the State,” Shaibu declared.

    Tenebe, who was joined by some chieftains of the party, discribed the attack as calculated attempt to allegedly take life of the Edo’s second citizen.

    “What your party (allegedly) tried to do to you was actually planned to take your life. As it stands today, you are the deputy governor of Edo State.

    “I have brought a message of APC and after now, our flag will be hanging in your office,” Tenebe said.

  • Edo 2024: Philip Shaibu celebrates Ighodalo’s PDP ticket loss; PDP reacts

    Edo 2024: Philip Shaibu celebrates Ighodalo’s PDP ticket loss; PDP reacts

    Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu has celebrated the reported disqualification of Asue Ighodalo as governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the elections set to hold in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, invalidated the PDP primary election that produced Ighodalo as party’s candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo.

    The former Deputy Governor in a video now trending on social media indicated that the court’s ruling invalidating the PDP’s governorship primary election supports his prior claim that the PDP failed to hold a proper primary election.

    “I said it from day one that I have the authentic delegates and they voted for me on the day of the primary.

    “I said that what happened that day at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was like a birthday party or a wedding reception because the real people that were supposed to vote were not there but with the court now I have been vindicated.

    “I have been vindicated and I salute the judiciary. This victory is for the Edo people, it is for democracy and by the grace of God, we will take our state back from outsiders,” Shaibu said.

    Recall the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, invalidated the PDP primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as party’s candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, held that the PDP’s primary held on Feb. 22 failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022; the guidelines for the conduct of the poll amd the party’s constitution.

    Justice Ekwo, who said that the Exhibit PDP 1 tendered by the party was bereft of evidence, held that the plaintiffs, through the exhibits tendered, were able to establish their case against the defendants.

    The judge said that from the exhibit presented by the PDP, he found that the returning officers who prepared the result sheets only sat down in a place to manufacture the outcome.of the poll.

    He said the exclusion of the 381 delegates, including the plaintiffs, were against the provisions of the law.

    Justice Ekwo held that, though INEC, the 1st defendant, filed a memorandum of appearance in the suit, it was unfortunate that the commission did not file any process in the case.

    According to the judge, the 1st defendant counsel only said it will be bound by the decision of the court.

    “I found that the case of the plaintiffs succeed on merit,” he said.

    Three aggrieved ad-hoc delegates, on behalf of the 378 others, had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, its national secretary and the vice chairman, south south as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 dated Feb. 7 but filed Feb 8, the plaintiffs sought for two orders

    These include an order for the defendants or their agents not to act but to show cause why the reliefs of the plaintiffs in their originating summons should not be granted with regard to the plan of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants to exclude them and 378 other delegates, whose names and election results are contained in “Exhibits BID 8A to 8L,” from participating in the primaries.of Feb. 22 in Edo.

    The plaintiffs, which include Hon Kelvin Mohammed, Mr Gabriel Okoduwa and Mr Ederaho Osagie, on behalf of others in 12 local government areas and 127 wards, averred that it would be in the interest of justice for their reliefs to be granted.

    Meanwhile, the PDP in Edo has said the Federal High Court’s judgment on its primaries does not affect its governorship candidature in the coming governorship election in the state.

    The party stated in Benin on Thursday that Dr Asue Ighodalo remained the PDP governorship candidate in Edo.

    Dr Tony Aziegbemi, the state PDP chairman, said that Ighodalo’s candidature for the 2024 election remained intact.

    “The PDP is aware that certain elements who are scared of the soaring popularity of our candidate are going about peddling rumours that  Ighodalo candidature has been nullified.

    “Let it be on record that Ighodalo is the PDP flagbearer for the 2024 governorship election in Edo,” he said.

    It would be recalled that the Federal High court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, voided the PDP primary election conducted on Feb. 22.

    The judgment was voided on grounds that the 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primaries were unlawfully excluded by the  PDP.

  • BREAKING: Philip Shaibu, others expelled from PDP in Edo

    BREAKING: Philip Shaibu, others expelled from PDP in Edo

    Leadership of Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday announced the expulsion of former deputy governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, from the party.

    Also expelled was the National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the party, Chief Dan Orbih. Shaibu and Orbih were expelled for anti-party activities, according to PDP.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Benin by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Mr Ogie Vasco.

    Vasco said also expelled for the same reason was Mr Omorgie  Ihama, a former House of Representatives member, who represented Oredo Federal Constituency.

    Vasco said the decision was taken on Wednesday at a meeting attended by nine members of the State Working committee at the party secretariat.

    “The SWC has extensively deliberated on the issue and resolved to expel, with immediate effect, Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman South South.

    “It also decided to expel Phillip Shaibu and upheld the expulsion of Ogbeide-Ihama from Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area “, he said.

    Reacting, Orbih told newsmen said the body had no powers to suspend a member of the National Working Committee or expel anybody without following the provision of the party’s constitution.

    “When a group of persons sits down to make pronouncement that are unconstitutional it only showed that they are ignorant of the constitution of the party.

    “That is all I have to say about that and nothing more,” Orbih told newsmen.

  • Edo Guber Race: Former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu pitches tent with APC’s candidate

    Edo Guber Race: Former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu pitches tent with APC’s candidate

    A former deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu, has distanced himself from the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo.

    Shaibu made this known on Sunday on the sidelines of the 2024 Father’s Day celebration at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City, saying he prefers to support a homeboy.

    According to Shaibu, who was impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly a few months ago, claimed that the PDP candidate is an outsider.

    The former deputy governor stated that the governorship race began with himself and two other homeboys – Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

    In declaring  his support for the APC candidate, Shaibu warned  that the victory of the PDP flagbearer would reintroduce godfatherism in Edo State.

    He said, “Today, I came in as a homeboy. We have only two homeboys in the major political parties in Edo State. One is in Labour, and one is in APC, and I choose to follow another homeboy in the APC.

    “The man they are parading in the PDP is an outsider, and we have also agreed that there is no more godfatherism in Edo.

    “So, the man the PDP is trying to portray in Edo now is the godson of Obaseki, and there is no way a godson will now be governor of Edo.”

    The Edo guber elections is scheduled to hold on September 21, 2024.

  • Edo 2024: Shaibu declares support for APC candidate

    Edo 2024: Shaibu declares support for APC candidate

    Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, has declared support for the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo.

    According to Shaibu, the governorship race started with three homeboys- himself, Okpebholo, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

    “I will support a homeboy, I came into politics to contest as the governor of Edo State because I need government to return to homeboy – people that understand our plight, people that understand what the people are feeling. Even the United Nations talks about the need for assessment. We don’t want outsiders, we have experimented, with outsiders and it’s not working, so this time around, we want homeboy,” he said.

    “Today I came in as a homeboy, we have only two homeboys in the major political parties in Edo State. One is in labour, and one is in APC, and I choose to follow another homeboy in the APC. The man they are parading in the PDP is an outsider, and we have also agreed that no more godfatherism in Edo,  so the man the PDP is trying to portray in Edo now is the godson of Obasek,  and there is no way godsons will now be governor of Edo.”

    The former deputy governor was speaking on the sidelines of the 2024 Father’s Day celebration at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City, the Edo State capital. He was among the altar servants for the main mass.

    Shaibu insisted that since he had dropped out of the race, his preferred choice from the remaining homeboys in Okpebholo. He noted that Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki has said everyone was free to choose who to support in any election, the reason he has come out publicly to back the APC governorship candidate in the election despite his PDP membership.

    He stressed that his support for the opposition is not anti-party, adding even Governor Obaseki in the last election, was partly PDP and Labour Party.

    “The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki says that everybody has the right to support whoever he wants to support, but he forgot also that he doesn’t have the right to stop anybody from whom he wants to support,” he said.

    “But I take one part from what he said, we all have the right to support whom we want to support, so it’s my right to decide who I want to support.”

  • Why I refused to return govt vehicles – Ex-Edo Deputy Gov, Shaibu

    Why I refused to return govt vehicles – Ex-Edo Deputy Gov, Shaibu

    The former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has opened up on why he refused to release government vehicles in his possession.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Shaibu to have said he received only one new official vehicle in almost eight years that he served as the Deputy Governor of the State

    In an exclusive interview, Shaibu, who had previously accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of orchestrating his impeachment, revealed that he has forgiven the governor and is ready to reconcile with him.

    Addressing the issue of campaign vehicles in his possession, Shaibu clarified that the vehicles in his possession were not new but refurbished ones that belonged to previous deputy governors.

    He emphasized his commitment to transparency and accountability during his tenure.

    “The vehicles they are referring to are the two Prado SUVs used by Lucky Imasuen as the deputy governor. The other Hilux was the one (Dr Pius) Odubu’s wife used, and the Land Cruiser was the one Odubu used.

    “I took all those vehicles to the mechanic who changed their engine and refurbished them. Those are the vehicles that they are telling me to return.

    “So, you can see how heartless men can be. I got only one new vehicle in almost eight years that I served as the deputy governor of the state,” Shaibu said in the interview with PUNCH.

    He emphasized his commitment to activism and the need for political leaders to prioritize the welfare of the people.

    On the issue of his impeachment, Shaibu criticized the process, stating that the oath of office had been breached by Governor Obaseki multiple times. He also highlighted the need for constitutional amendments to protect deputy governors from arbitrary impeachment.

  • AAC candidate condemns impeachment of Shaibu

    AAC candidate condemns impeachment of Shaibu

    Dr. Udoh Oberaifo, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), on Monday, condemned in strong terms the impeachment of deputy governor Philip Shaibu by the Edo House of Assembly.

    Shaibu was impeached on Monday for “revealing government secrets”. He has been replaced by Marvellous Godwins Omobayo as the new deputy governor.

    In a statement in Benin, Oberaifo said regardless of the charges levelled against Shaibu, due process was not followed.

    Oberaifo who noted that Shaibu was not given a fair hearing and described the impeachment as a blatant disregard of the principles of justice.

    “Of particular concern is the fact that the impeachment proceeded despite a pending case filed by the deputy governor at the Federal High court.

    “This legal action should have warranted a status quo, yet the impeachment was carried out regardless, casting doubts on the motives behind the hurried proceedings,” he said .

    The AAC candidate raised the alarm over the connection between the Labour Party (LP) and the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state .

    He alleged that the new deputy governor was a card-carrying member of LP, and was yet to resign his membership as at the time he was sworn in.

    “This action is in clear violation of the Electoral Act 2022 and it underscores the connivance between the LP and PDP to consolidate power,” he added.

    He condemned the display of political maneuvering and warned against  godfatherism that has permeated Edo politics.

    He urges the people of Edo state to reject the PDP and LP at the polls, come September 2024, and embrace the AAC as a viable alternative.

    Oberaifo called on all Edo people to rally behind the AAC, embrace its programmes, visions, and manifestos, and cast their votes for him as the next governor of the state in September.