THE NATION
The relationship between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, has deteriorated in recent times. OSAGIE OTABOR traces the genesis of the disagreement between the two former allies in Edo politics
The pairing of Godwin Obaseki as governor and Philip Shaibu as his deputy was a combination that was doomed to fail. Today, those who predicted it have been proven right. The relationship between the Edo State governor and his deputy has broken down ahead of next year’s governorship election in the Southsouth state. Shaibu might eventually be impeached before 2024, according to reliable sources. The sources said former Governor Adams Oshiomhole was probably more concerned about winning the 2016 governorship election when paired both of them. They told our reporter that they had foreknowledge that the pairing of Obaseki and Shaibu was incompatible.
This is not farfetched. Obaseki and Shaibu are from different backgrounds. They served in the administration of former Governor Oshiomhole in different circumstances. Obaseki, a technocrat, was the head of the economic team. He was later referred to as the ‘software’ that powered the successes of Oshiomhole as governor. Shaibu, on the other hand, was a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and a lawmaker. As a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, he ensured a smooth relationship between his colleagues in the legislative chamber and the executive arm of government.
Shaibu was a key ally of former Governor Oshiomhole; he assisted the latter to fight against the then formidable Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers who refused to pass the 2009 budget. The budget was eventually approved inside the bedroom of the late Chief Tony Anenih who was then godfather of Edo politics, after many projects were tinkered with. It was in February 2010 that Shaibu and other lawmakers elected on the platform of the then-ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) fought and drove out their PDP counterparts. Though he was a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Shaibu was widely regarded as the de facto deputy governor to Oshiomhole. He had already won his election to represent his constituency at the House of Representatives in 2015 when he was nominated by Oshiomhole to be the running mate to Obaseki in the 2016 governorship election.
The nomination of Shaibu, the political ‘son’ of Oshiomhole as deputy to Obaseki was perceived by many as a ploy by the then-outgoing governor to have a firm grip on the administration of Obaseki. The first signal that the relationship was doomed to fail reared its head in 2017 when Governor Obaseki was to present his first budget. Shaibu was said to have refused to be present at the budget presentation because he was not carried along in the preparation of the budget and was not conversant with its full content. It was said that Oshiomhole had to intervene before he agreed.
However, it was the preparation for the APC primary ahead of the 2019 general elections that further strengthened the relationship between Shaibu and Obaseki and pitched them against Oshiomhole who had become the party’s national chairman. The two sides disagreed over the choice of candidates for both the National Assembly and the state assembly. Oshiomhole used his position as national chairman to substitute the names of candidates that emerged at the primaries before submitting the list to the election management body in Abuja. Those who had secured the party’s ticket with the backing of both Obaseki and Shaibu were replaced, particularly for the state House of Assembly election. That singular action of Oshiomhole united Obaseki and Shaibu and it snowballed to the 2020 governorship election when the former governor denied them the party’s return ticket. Shaibu, who pitched a tent with Obaseki against his ‘father’, was vehement in his opposition to Oshiomhole’s plan to emerge the new godfather of Edo politics. When Obaseki secured the PDP ticket to run for a second term, following his humiliation out of the APC, he insisted on running with Shaibu despite pressure from the PDP leaders that he should pick a deputy from within the so-called legacy PDP.
Shaibu, regarded as a loyal deputy, was given various responsibilities. He was placed to oversee revenue generation. He was also in charge of sports and youth empowerment.
But, the outcome of the recent general elections where the PDP performed abysmally in Edo State is believed to be the beginning of the sour relationship between Obaseki and Shaibu. Party sources said it was a signal to Obaseki to take charge ahead of the governorship election.
Some top government officials who do not wish to be named said Shaibu didn’t expect the governor to turn against him. They said it was shocking for Shaibu to learn in July, through a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) that ministries, including local government councils, have been directed to liaise with the Mr. Governor in matters concerning internally generated revenue, instead of the deputy governor.
A close aide to Obaseki said the governor decided to cut the excesses and powers of Shaibu ahead of the September local government elections and the forthcoming governorship primary. He added that the governor is also deploying other tactics, including ensuring proper protocols were observed by Shaibu. It was all calculated to frustrate Shaibu’s quest to succeed his boss. Shaibu’s supporters said Obaseki should support his deputy as payback for supporting him against Oshiomhole.
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