Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday described his deputy, Philip Shaibu as “a die-hard loyalist,” who according to him staked his life for Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oshiomhole recently described Shaibu as a betrayal, but Governor Obaseki said that it was his deputy who was rather betrayed “when the person he looked up to was unraveled as unreal.”
Obaseki spoke at a praise and worship night put together to mark the deputy governor’s 50th birthday.
At the event, the governor also revealed how he was warned to be wary of his deputy and the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, after he was inaugurated as governor.
However, he said since they started working together there had not been internal rancour in his administration because himself, Shaibu and Ogie were driven by the same values.
He added that three of them aligned easily on decisions because they shared the same thoughts and values.
The governor said: “Once I made the decision of picking him (Shaibu) as my running mate, I didn’t have peace. People said I was finished and have been set up. They said I should not eat or drink in my office when I am with him and Ogie.
“I was clear in my mind. I do not see how we would have succeeded in doing the things we have done without him.
“For him, it is about Edo people. What I find unique about him is that he is not driven by materialism. He is in the struggle not for himself or his family.”
In his remarks at the occasion, Ogie said he came in contact with Shaibu during the struggle to free the people of the state from the godfathers
The SSG said: “They call us twin brothers but we are now three. We are getting stronger every day. Shaibu is a man you can trust. He is a man of conviction. He has given everything for our state.
