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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has expressed his remorse over his past utterances against a former governor of the state, Sen Adams Oshiomhole.
Speaking on TVC programme, ‘Journalists Hangout,’ Shaibu said that Oshiomhole is still his father despite their political differences.
At the height of the rift between Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and Oshiomhole in 2020, Shaibu backed the former against the latter. He accused Oshiomhole of playing godfather when both of them never allowed such to happen during his tenure as governor
However, Oshiomhole and Obaseki, who have been seen at state functions together in recent times, seem to have settled their differences.
Shaibu, who fell out with his principal over his governorship ambition, said his decision to succeed Obaseki, was borne out of a divine conviction to serve the state and take governance back to the people
“I express remorse over my choice of words against Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in times past and I insist that the former governor, now a Senator at the National Assembly, remains my father despite our political differences,” he said.
The deputy governor, who spoke on a range of issues, including his governorship ambition, the conflict between him and Obaseki, governance and security, among others, stated that his ambition to succeed Obaseki is driven by a divine cause to take Edo State to the next level.
“Yes, I want to be the next governor of Edo State not because l am Philip Shaibu. It is my constitutional right. Before publicly declaring my interest to contest, l had consulted widely with many persons and groups within and outside Edo State.
“Moreover, l went into prayers to seek guidance and direction from God. The signs l received encouraged me to go ahead with my aspiration, though it was obvious the governor had his plans of supporting another person,” he said.