The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Phillip Shaibu, has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
SYMFONI NEWS reports that the embattled Deputy Governor dumped that main opposition party at a campaign rally held on Saturday in the state.
Shaibu, at the rally, declared his official return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He was received into the party by the APC’s governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa.
The reinstated Deputy Governor also used the defection rally to reunite with his political godfather, a former Edo State Governor and APC National Chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Confirming his defection in a post on Facebook, Shaibu said: “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.”
Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja had nullified Shaibu’s impeachment on charges of gross misconduct by the Edo State House of Assembly.
In a recent interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Shaibu asserted that he is an unofficial member of the APC.
Shaibu said his spirit had left the PDP, stressing that the only thing still keeping him in the party was because he was yet to dump the party officially.
Giving reasons for supporting the APC governorship candidate in Edo state, he said, “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.”
Speaking further, Shaibu stated that since the political crisis in the state started, he had called his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, 101 times without the governor picking up his calls or returning them.
Eric Onyekaba