Philip Aivoji, the Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed the possibility that the impeached former deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, can still become governor.
Aivoji encouraged Shaibu to maintain patience and perseverance with the PDP despite his impeachment. He conveyed this sentiment during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
Shaibu was impeached by the Edo House of Assembly on Monday following the adoption of the recommendation of a seven-man judicial panel led by retired Justice Stephen Omonua.
The strained relationship between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki surfaced when the former expressed his desire to succeed him as governor. This discord culminated in a parallel party governorship primary in February.
Following Shaibu’s removal, Governor Obaseki swiftly appointed and swore in 38-year-old Omobayo Godwin as his new deputy.
In response, Aivoji emphasized that Shaibu should remain within the party despite the recent developments, urging him not to contemplate leaving the PDP.
He said: “What we are concerned about is winning Edo back for PDP. The impeached deputy governor needs to be patient and hand over everything to God.
“Whatever happens, no one ever can tell, he (Shaibu) can still become the governor in a future. He should not leave the party.
“That is my advice because it is the party that brought him up. When he became the deputy governor, there were millions of people who could have become the deputy governor before the party picked him.
“Since this has happened, he should look for a way of mending fences to actualise his dream of becoming the governor. He can still become the governor.”
