By Ayo Kehinde
The plan by Edo deputy governor, Philip Shuaibu to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, received cold shoulder on Thursday from Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
The former governor of Edo State who represents Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said his party, the APC is not a rehabilitation centre for failed politicians, nor an Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDP), for losers.
Oshiomhole was reacting to reports that Shaibu, has perfected plans to join the APC, amid the failure to secure support of his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, for his 2024 governorship ambition.
Things came to a head last week when Shuaibu, alleging moves by Governor Godwin Obaseki to impeach him, filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja to stop the governor, the House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of the state from going ahead with the purported impeachment.
Governor Obaseki has since denied any such move even as the court has granted Shuaibu’s prayers.
Fielding questions from journalists during his condolence visit to the family of the late Esogban of Benin Kingdom Chief David Edebiri, Oshiomhole counselled political subordinates to be loyal to their bosses, just as he maintained that it would be absurd for the court to adjudicate on suspicion.
“Let me say this, to say that somebody wants to run to APC, I want to say APC is not a rehabilitation centre. ” Oshiomhole said.
“We in APC are satisfied the way we are; we are happy in opposition. We are not about to receive people who are coming because they have lost out. I want to say no IDP camp in APC.
“My advice is, those who are having challenges, should learn how to respect their bosses. I also advise people that anyone you work with, be loyal.
“Many of you will attest to the fact that my deputy was interested in succeeding me, and I didn’t support him, but my deputy didn’t take me to court.
“And if there are people, whose sole means is to profit from crisis, such people cannot get my support.
“It would be nice if ordinarily my clan produce the governor of Edo State, but Nigeria doesn’t work that way.
“So, based on the principle of fairness, it should be fair others produce the governor.
“About somebody going to court to complain about being suspicious about being impeached, I don’t know how court adjudicates over suspicion.
“Regardless of the party divide, my wish for Edo is to be governed in peace and harmony.”
