‘We’re tired of not being accepted as PDP members’ – Philip Shaibu

By Jethro Ibileke

Ahead of next year’s general election, the crisis rocking the Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), further deepened, with the State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu complaining to Governor Godwin Obaseki of not being recognized as member of the party.

Shaibu, in a viral video on social media, lamented that officials of the PDP were yet to accept those who decamped with Governor Godwin Obaseki, including Anslem Ojezua, a former State chairman of the APC and others, to the party just before the 19 September 2020 governorship election in the State.

Apparently referring to the national vice chairman (south-south) of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, Shaibu lamented that all their efforts to develop the party at the State level were being frustrated by the “National”.

Addressing his grievances to Governor Obaseki, Shaibu said:

“What I know, my chairman in APC, Anslem Ojezua and all other chairmen and executives that left with us, we follow you to the PDP. Mr. Governor, we are tired, we are actually tired. Every time we come, [you tell us] we’ll soon, we’ll soon, we’ll soon; when will this we’ll soon be over?

“Mr. Governor, we all agreed that anywhere you go, we will follow you; we still stand by that. Mr. Governor, we escorted you to PDP, but we are still not being accepted, that is the truth.

“Mr. Governor, your leadership style is what has kept us this far. You have been telling us to be patient, and we believe in you, we believe that you will always take us to that promised land and it’s that perseverance that makes us to still remain in PDP.

“Some individual feel that have the National leadership of PDP and that they will never ratify what you and all of us here, including our state chairman, have done.

“How can we have the Governor, the leader of the party, the Chairman of PDP and one person will say that it is what they say in Abuja that will work. Mr. Governor Sir, Mr. Chairman Sir, we are tired. We are only respecting Mr. Governor and our chairman, be we know that what you want for us is to make the party big,” he said.

Shaibu noted that of all the states in Nigeria, only Edo State has ever registered over 500,000; under Obaseki’s leadership, yet, “some persons are saying whatever we do here will mot work.”

Recall that just last weekend during an expanded caucus meeting of leaders and members of the party in the State, Governor Obaseki declared war on Chief Dan Orbih, asking him to either accept his leadership style or leave the party.

Obaseki who berated Orbih for allegedly saying that there is no harmonization in Edo PDP, described his statement as “irresponsible”, adding that the party is now fully harmonized.

“There is no division in Edo PDP. Let the party be open to accommodate others. PDP is democratic. The hallmark of democracy is ensuring that the majority has their way, as the minority can’t dictate to the people.

“I heard that Chief Dan Orbih went around, saying there is no harmonization in Edo PDP. This is really irresponsible to say and an insult to members of the party, as the party has truly harmonised in the State.

They have tried us in battle, and have been made to know that we are battle-ready. We have been tested and trusted,” the Governor had said.