APC woos Shaibu after PDP expulsion

The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, on Thursday, mocked the ruling Peoples Democratic Party over the expulsion of the ex-deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

While describing his expulsion as a sign of panic by the PDP, the APC said Shaibu was welcome to return to the APC.

The PDP, on Wednesday, said Shaibu was expelled for declaring support for the APC ahead of the September 21 governorship election and demarketing the candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo.

But the APC, in a statement on Thursday by the Director of Publicity of its Governorship Campaign Council, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, said Shaibu’s expulsion showed that the PDP was in a panic mood ahead of the poll.

It said Shaibu was welcomed into the APC if and when he decided to do so.

The Edo State Working Committee of the PDP had on Wednesday expelled Shaibu alongside the PDP South-South Vice Chairman, Dan Orbih, while it upheld the expulsion of a former member of the House of Representatives,  Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama’s by Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.

The decisions were taken on Wednesday at the PDP SWC meeting in Benin.

Present at the meeting were the Chairman of the Edo PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, and seven other members of the SWC, including Tony Anenih Jr., who joined the meeting virtually.

Aziegbemi said the trio was expelled for anti-party activities, noting that they had shown that they were no longer in the party and there was no need to keep them in the PDP.

The Edo PDP chairman said, “Dan Orbih was expelled because he has been asking members of the PDP to join the opposition party. He also took an appointment as the governing council member of a third-tier institution without recourse to the party before accepting the appointment.

“Shaibu donated about 15 vehicles to the All Progressives Congress and has also been abusing and disrespectful to the leaders of the party in the state. Someone who does these things cannot be termed a true party man.

“Also, Ogbeide-Ihama donated his building on Sakponba Road to the APC for campaign purposes. The building currently bears the billboard of the APC candidate and his running mate.

“The party is working with other stakeholders to ensure that the party wins the election in September.”

But the APC, in a statement on Thursday by Omo-Ojo, said it would embrace Shaibu and others when they decide to join.

The opposition party said, “The hurried suspension of Philip Shaibu, the immediate past deputy governor of Edo State, and Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama by the Governor Godwin Obaseki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party is a sign that the remnants of the PDP are in panic mode as the election draws nearer.

“The All Progressives Congress in Edo State is aware that both politicians are community builders that have contributed to the development of the state both in and out of government, and the party is proud of them, especially with the contributions they have made for the enthronement of good governance that Senator Monday Okpebholo will bring to bear as from November 12, this year.

“Our party, the APC will not hesitate to embrace Shaibu and Ogbeide-Ihama whenever both gentlemen decide to bid the sinking ship of PDP goodbye.”