On January 10, 2024, the news went viral on X (formerly Twitter) that Philip Shuaibu, the deputy governor of Edo state and one of the gubernatorial aspirants under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called Godwin Obaseki, his principal, a betrayal.
According to another tweet, Shuaibu expressed his sense of betrayal by his principal, Godwin Obaseki, for not backing his candidature in the upcoming 2024 governorship election. He was reported to have called his principal a betrayal on Arise News.
Context:
The CDD War Room found that Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent governor and his deputy, Philip Shuaibu, have recently been at loggerheads. In August 2023, the governor sacked Shuaibu’s media aides and relocated his office to the former Edo State Public Procurement Office at Osadebey Avenue in Benin City.
In September, the deputy governor, Philip Shuaibu, was reported to have sought forgiveness from the governor, Godwin Obaseki, for any unintentional mistakes he may have committed.
At his investiture as the Grand Patron of the Catholic Men Organisation of Nigeria of the Catholic Archdioceses of Benin, Shuaibu also said, “I use this medium to appeal to Mr. governor that if there is any mistake I have made or if there anything that I have done that I don’t know of, he should please forgive me so that we can develop our state together.”
It is believed that this entire feud is hinged on the fact that Philip Shuaibu declared interest to run for the governorship of Edo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Claim: Philip Shuaibu calls Obaseki a betrayal for not backing his gubernatorial bid
Verification:
On January 10, 2024, Philip Shuaibu appeared on the Arise News Morning Show, where he answered questions on the upcoming Edo governorship election and the political atmosphere in the state. While answering a question asked by Ayo Mairo-Ese on whether the governor endorsing another candidate would be considered an act of betrayal by the deputy governor. Shuaibu said, “ I feel betrayed by the governor. I feel very betrayed and not just been betrayed. He alluded to a Bible verse and said, “The heart of man is desperately wicked, so when I see what the governor is doing and relate it to what the verse of the Bible said, it is now making meaning to me.”
Verdict: True
The CDD War Room found an interview granted by Philip Shuaibu, the deputy governor of Edo state and a gubernatorial aspirant contesting for the PDP ticket. In the interview, he said he felt betrayed by the governor for not supporting his gubernatorial bid.
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