After Philip Shaibu, the state’s reinstated deputy governor, and other notable members and their supporters left the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress’s Edo State chapter saw a surge in recruitment on Saturday.
The decamping, which was held in Benin at the National Campaign Council’s inauguration by APC National Chairman Abdulahi Ganduje, ended months of rumors that Shaibu would remain in the PDP.
The deputy governor was impeached after losing to Asue Ighodalo in the PDP primary due to a disagreement with Governor Godwin Obaseki on his desire to succeed his principal.
However, the Abuja High Court reinstated him on Wednesday, which further strained relations between him and Obaseki.
Speaking at the occasion, Shaibu declared that he was returning to strengthen the APC.
He said, “On behalf of the Legacy Group, I announce our movement to the APC. We have come to add value to the party.
“It is time to take back our state. We will not talk too much because action will speak for us. We are not afraid; we are ready to move forward.
“We, the home boys, are ready to take our state back through the APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa. We are not trouble makers but if it comes, we will use it to rub our body and move on.”
The defectors were met by Ganduje as he officially opened the National Campaign Council of the party for the September 21 governorship election, which is chaired by Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu.
Given that Shaibu was a deputy governor in office, the APC national chairman claimed that the party held 50% of the vote in Edo State.
He revealed that the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, “are not coming with MOUs but concrete plans to develop Edo State and to connect the state to the center,” and that the party would shortly arrange a large rally in Benin that President Bola Tinubu would attend.
Speaking at the same event, Senator Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North, bemoaned the fact that the Obaseki administration had not upheld the development legacy left by his administration across the board.
He claimed that Okpebholo’s greatest quality is empathy because, years ago, he gave millions to increase security in Esan area.
Speaking on the recent attack on the Shaibu and Okpebholo convoy, which resulted in the death of a police inspector, Oshiomhole urged Funsho Adeboye, the state commissioner of police, to prove the identity of the police officer’s killers in order to protect the honor of his uniform.
Tony Aziegbemi, the state chairman of the PDP, wished Shaibu luck in his official endeavors and stated that more people were phoning to join the party following Shaibu’s departure than were departing.
He said, “I wish them good luck in their official endeavours. The PDP cannot be depleted because of this.
“Every vote counts but those who are now coming to us because of his exit are more than those who are leaving the party, so we are good. People have been calling me since he left to say they want to join our party.”
