The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has expressed his excitement over Governor Godwin Obaseki’s defeat in the recent Edo governorship election.

During an interview on Arise Television on Monday, September 23, 2024, Shaibu who has been at loggerheads with Obaseki, stated that the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) validates his belief that the outgoing governor was not popular. He added that Obaseki could never win an election on his own and always needed help to secure victory.

Following the fallout, Shaibu declared his support for the 2024 APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo, who ultimately won the election.

INEC announced Okpebholo as the winner of the polls on Sunday, September 22. Okpebholo garnered 291,667 votes, defeating Obaseki’s preferred candidate, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who also polled 247,274 votes.

Expressing his excitement, Shaibu stated that he feels vindicated and hopes Obaseki learns from his lesson from his loss in the election. He also called on the governor to apologise to the people, especially those he removed from his government.

Shaibu said, “I thank God for it. I am water and I don’t have an enemy. Those who unfortunately decided that I am their enemy, I have always prayed for them to live long and see how God’s miracles continue to work in my life.

“I am a team player and somebody that likes to do my work the way it is and if I make a mistake, it is a human mistake and not out of envy or wickedness.

“Yesterday, I was so excited and I am happy that I’m counted among the numbers that helped the APC to regain the seat.

“I have also been able to cancel that negative impression that Shaibu does not win his ward. It is a lie because I have never lost my ward or unit. The highest votes came from my unit.

“Even the governor could not win his Local Government. I won, I won my unit, which is number one now, and I won my ward and LG which is also number one. I took first from unit to LG.

“Where are the governor’s results? He has never won, we only assist him but unfortunately, he got the power and started kicking us out.

“It is very unfortunate and I hope he learns his lessons. What is less for him now is to go back and apologize to the people of Edo State and there are a lot of them that he needs to apologize to”.