Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), taking along members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legacy coalition who support him.

The defection took place during the APC Edo State’s inauguration of the National Working Committee of the Edo governorship election meeting on Saturday.

Advertorial

The event was attended by prominent APC figures, including former Kano State Governor and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu.

Also in attendance were Edo State APC Chairman Jarett Tenebe, APC Governorship Candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo, and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole.

Advertorial

Shaibu was welcomed into the APC by the National Organising Secretary during the meeting.

This move comes after Shaibu accused his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, of denying him entry into Edo State.

Shaibu aired his grievances during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, stating that Governor Obaseki had instructed his aides to prevent him from entering the state.

Advertorial

Shaibu, 54, emphasized his right to move freely within his state, asserting, “I am a free-born of Edo State, nobody can stop me from entering Edo State.”

‘The constitution does not allow anybody to bar me from entering Edo State, not even when I am a deputy governor. Even if I am an ordinary citizen, I should have a right. I should have freedom.”

He recalled an incident from November 2023 when he declared his intention to run for the governorship ticket under the PDP, alleging that Obaseki had threatened to destroy him.

Advertorial

Describing himself as a devout Catholic, Shaibu stated that only God could destroy a man and vowed to continue his political fight through the electioneering period leading up to the September 21 governorship election.

Shaibu also accused Obaseki of orchestrating an attack in Benin City on Thursday, which he claimed was an attempt to make good on the governor’s threat.

Advertorial

The attack on Shaibu and APC candidate Monday Okpebholo’s convoy resulted in the death of a police inspector, Okon, who was attached to Okpebholo. Shaibu condemned the violence and mourned the loss.

During his interview, Shaibu expressed his determination to preserve the integrity of the deputy governor’s office, accusing Obaseki of undermining it for personal gain.

Advertorial

He revealed that he had not been paid for the past year and anticipated that he would not receive payment for the remaining months of his tenure.

“One of my main cardinal goals is to strengthen institutions. I am seeing the institution of the office of the deputy governor being destroyed by the governor for personal gain. That is why I am fighting to bring back the sanity of the office of the deputy governor not for my personal self. The governor has not paid me for the past year and I know he is not going to pay me for the remaining four months,” Shaibu stated.

Shaibu’s defection to the APC marks a significant shift in Edo State’s political landscape as the state prepares for the upcoming governorship election.

The OBEDIENT Movement in Minjibir Local Government Area of Kano State on Friday, marked the 63rd birthday of Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, with a grand celebration.

Advertorial

This event highlighted the strong support for Mr. Obi in a region not traditionally known for backing politicians from outside the Northern region.

The celebration, Daily Gazette gathered, was spearheaded by the local chapter of the OBEDIENT Movement, a nationwide group that actively supported Mr. Obi during his presidential campaign.

Advertorial

In a show of dedication and admiration, the group unveiled a large pictorial billboard of Mr. Obi in Minjibir, the local government headquarters.

This gesture was unprecedented in Kano politics, demonstrating a significant commitment to Mr. Obi’s political vision.

Alhaji Ali Baballe, the chairman of the OBEDIENT Movement in Minjibir, addressed the crowd in Hausa during the unveiling ceremony, expressing the group’s strong belief in Mr. Obi’s potential to improve Nigeria’s leadership and governance.

“We are happily identifying with the former Anambra State Governor because we believe that if he had emerged as President of this country, Nigeria would have been a better nation than what it is today,” Baballe stated.

Advertorial

He also wished Mr. Obi a joyous birthday and prayed for his continued health and future leadership.

Other notable members of the OBEDIENT Movement in attendance include the Secretary, Alhaji Ravi U. Kazawa, Coordinator Yahaya Sabo Sakau, Youth Leader Baba Hassan Kunya, and P.R.O. Haruna Haladu Wasai, along with numerous other members and supporters from Minjibir LGA.

Footage from the event

VIDEO: Senate President, Akpabio Opposes Motion For Government Rebuilding Of Abuja Market After Fire Outbreak

The Video

Watch 👆

Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation International, has issued a stern advisory to President Bola Tinubu, highlighting the severe economic and political challenges facing Nigeria.

Advertorial

In a pointed open letter titled “Urgent Message for President Tinubu,” Momodu emphasized the critical need for leadership discipline and urged the President to listen to Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South.

Momodu expressed his concern over Nigeria’s current state, urging Tinubu to enforce discipline among his cabinet members, specifically calling for sanctions against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for alleged disrespect in the Fubara matter.

Advertorial

He began his letter by stating, “Your Excellency, I have decided to write this open letter to you as a concerned friend and brother. As you’re aware, I’m a member of the opposition but you and I have had a long history together. I owe you only one thing, TRUTH.”

Momodu highlighted several pressing issues:
1. Economic Crisis: He warned that Nigeria’s economy is on the brink of collapse, citing reckless spending as a major issue. “You’ve been wasting too much money at a time that requires absolute frugality,” he wrote, criticizing expenditures on presidential jets, monuments, and cash palliatives.

Advertorial

2. Need for Performance: Momodu argued that the best assurance for Tinubu’s second term is effective performance. He advised investing in vocational skills for youth, boosting local agriculture, and upgrading educational institutions. He cautioned against the unhealthy practice of distributing cash through politicians.

3. Importance of Honest Advisors: He urged Tinubu to pay attention to sincere advisors like Senator Ndume, warning of the dangers ahead and the pitfalls of hero-worship by National Assembly members.

4. Disciplinary Action: Momodu called for strict discipline within the administration, specifically urging Tinubu to sanction Nyesom Wike for his public disrespect. “You need to sanction him before he throws Nigeria into total chaos,” he stated.

Momodu emphasized that his letter was not merely a suggestion but a record of the true state of affairs, hoping that some of Tinubu’s friends would convey the gravity of the situation to him in a sober moment.