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ICYMI: How I was begged to be Obaseki’s deputy – Shaibu
I had a feeling that things would not turn out well and that they would end this way. For this reason, when Comrade Adams Oshiomhole proposed Obaseki to our group, I was the last to accept him. I agreed to it out of consideration for Oshiomhole. We were also informed that Obaseki would be needed to assist us in battling the impending recession and that he was bringing ideas from the business sector to the table. However, I foresaw that this man would demolish the house, and it eventually did.
I was not interested in accepting Obaseki's running mate nomination when it was made, but members of our team, including Chris Okaeben, Washington Osifo, Larry Aghedo, Andrew Momodu, Abbas Braimoh, and other young people, approached me to change my mind. They threatened to remove me as the young people's representative in the government if I turned down their offer. Reluctantly, I agreed, but I also informed them I thought there would be a fight. Although the first year was tense, Comrade Oshiomhole and Pius Odubu, his former deputy, assured me that I had no choice because the government was new. Comrade informed me that I was at the governor's mercy and that I had to be obedient to him.
How did you believe you would handle the looming issue that you foresaw?
In order to avoid being told to pack up my belongings and leave Government House since it would be embarrassing, I first told my wife that we were moving into a private property rather than Government House. When she questioned me about why I felt that way, I told her that I had a feeling something was wrong. My spouse advised us to pray about it, but my prediction came true seven years later. Imagine searching for cars so we could load up and leave Government House with our belongings. The Government House, which served as the only link between my office and the governor and me. I am happy that my office was only relocated out of the Government House.
Firstly, I may not be able to respond to the question until the PDP takes the necessary action. Secondly, I am not prepared to endorse the party's nominee for governor, Asue Ighodalo. I can't assist him since, despite my repeated requests—including at my house—he refused to talk to me about his ambition. I asked in November of last year. I was shocked, therefore, when he said on TV that he was being forced to flee.
When I contacted him to find out who was pressuring him to resign, he told me to disregard the allegation and that it was just a social media issue. However, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, his younger brother, claimed that the plan to appoint his elder brother as Edo State governor had begun two years prior. Edo State needs a "homeboy" to lead them, not tenants who would move out as soon as their term is complete. We need people who understand the struggles that other people face and with whom we can connect. The PDP's candidate for governorship leans more towards Ibadan than Edo.
Have you extended forgiveness to the governor, whom you claim had a key role in your impeachment?
I've offered him my forgiveness. I give thanks to God for granting me life and for his grace. My heart is the way it is, that's who I am. I am honest, straightforward, and I don't harbour any secrets. I have excellent health because I don't harbour ill will. I don't have room for negativity, yet the Bible claims that people's hearts are incredibly evil. I am aware that there are some principalities in this world that you must overcome. I don't let people like Obaseki and Ighodalo influence me, hence I avoid them.
I've learned to live with their kind of people. So, I'm not really affected by anything they do. Regarding forgiveness, there is no ambiguity in the Lord's Prayer. It stated that we ought to pardon those who transgress against us. That's what I've done. Since I am not a saint, I can also receive forgiveness for my transgressions. I have since reconciled with Honourable Kabiru Adjoto following a disagreement over a few matters. It was his group that initiated the entire incident that resulted in my resignation. I've already forgiven him and a few other individuals, and doing the right thing is the only path to redemption in my eyes.
What do you think of activists who enter politics and then leave the people and enrich themselves?
That, in my opinion, is not why someone should enter politics. I entered politics with the intention of having a constructive impact on people, bringing them out of poverty and into prosperity, guiding them from where they are to where they want to be, and fostering an equal society and environment in which they may flourish. As a political activist, I have steadfastly refused to alter. Since people are aware of my consistency, I have run afoul of those who think I ought to have handled things differently. I have always rejected godfatherism in politics, so when I witness someone doing it, my activist side comes out. Obaseki, who battled godfatherism alongside us, has introduced Ighodalo as his godson.
Is your political activism failing to harm you?
Activists ensure that institutions function to the advantage of both large and small men, strive for the good of our people, and oppose injustice. Still, the large man will dominate the little man as long as institutions fail. We desire for institutions to surpass the size of individuals. We backed Obaseki because we thought he was coming to fortify institutions, but thus far, we have observed the exact reverse.
Why all the hullabaloo over your being impeached for breaking the oath of office?
The governor has fired several high-ranking government officials due to political differences, in violation of the oath of office that was used to impeach me. For the same reason, Omabeki fought his deputy as well. It is against the oath to let personal interests influence how you behave at work. Thus, even before discussing Philip Shaibu, the House of Assembly ought to have impeached Obaseki.
The governor appointed a woman to lead us instead of the State Universal Basic Education Board, and despite my repeated complaints, nothing changed. They claimed that by providing the court with the data it required to support my case, I had revealed an official secret. Which official secret, then, are they discussing? I could have been impeached for revealing an official secret at that point if I had gone to Oba Market to say these things. I supported my argument in court, provided documentation to support my position, and tried to prevent my impeachment. When the time comes, we will provide a wealth of information to federal investigators visiting the state.
Why did you not show up for the panel's hearing that was set up to look into your impeachment case?
I couldn't have gone since doing so would have been against a court order. To go to the panel would be to disobey the court's orders if it had instructed them to appear and provide justification before proceeding. In addition, you don't fight a lunatic since nobody will be able to identify who is insane or sane. During the hearing, all my lawyers did was inform the public and remind the individuals that we had served them and that they were in violation of a court order. My attorney was not present at the panel. We didn't want to participate with them in such illegality.
What do you think of the panel's position, which is that the court ordered them to appear and provide justification but did not prevent them from sitting?
The case is pending in court. I thus wouldn't want to speak further about the case or preempt the court. We made the choice to abstain from the illegality. My lawyer insisted on going even though I advised him not to because he wanted everyone to know that we had helped them. We'll see in an election year if my impeachment helps them. Furthermore, I was aware that the impeachment would be based on false accusations, and I thought the court would reject it. My impeachment demonstrates the moral fibre of our Edo State leaders and that of Philip Shaibu.
The governor's successful impeachment of his deputy took ten months, so I think that's something to celebrate. It also demonstrates the idea that not all individuals entering politics from the business sector deserve to be considered seriously. Abia's governor, Alex Otti, is a real private sector individual who is succeeding in his state. Not briefcase entrepreneurs posing as private-sector experts, but they are the kind of people who are required in politics. Governor Otti has not led any institution experiencing difficulties similar to those in some people's political careers.
Do you believe that the constitution should be changed to prevent deputy governors from being impeached arbitrarily?
Yes, I agree that the deputy governors should be protected by amending the constitution. I have also listed some solutions for the problem. It is being sent to the National Assembly by me. If things keep on this way, no qualified individuals will agree to serve as deputy governors across the nation. Because the deputy governor's position should not be viewed as ordinary, the constitution's drafters ensured that the same qualifications apply to both governor and deputy governor positions. They are aware that the deputy must be capable and experienced