Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, has declared himself an unofficial member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite not formally defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This announcement comes after an Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice J. K. Omotosho, overturned his impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Speaking on Arise TV’s morning show on Friday, Shaibu explained his current political stance.
“In PDP now, everybody can support whoever they like. On the issue of supporting a candidate, the constitution guarantees that you can support who you like and you can belong to any political party. As of now, I’m a PDP man and I will not support anybody while I am in another party contrary to who I am supporting. For now, I am a member of PDP but going forward, I am good at being a member of APC; I can tell you that.”
Addressing questions about his divided loyalty, Shaibu emphasized his alignment with the APC.
“The only thing that is keeping me in PDP is that I have not officially declared. Talking more seriously, I am actually a member of APC, but unofficial. My spirit has left PDP for a long time, it is only my leg and body that are still there because my PDP party card is still with me and I have not picked an APC party card yet. But in terms of spirit, my spirit has left PDP and is now in APC.”
Shaibu also disclosed that he has attempted to contact his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, 111 times since the political crisis began, but has received no response.
“I have sent texts, but he never replied. The last text I sent was on his birthday,” Shaibu added.
On Thursday, Shaibu’s convoy was attacked by gunmen in Benin City, resulting in the death of a policeman.
Shaibu was returning from Abuja with the APC Governorship Candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, when the assailants struck on Airport Road.
The political atmosphere in Edo State remains tense as Shaibu navigates his position between the PDP and APC amidst ongoing crises and threats.