APC not a haven for failed politicians - Oshiomhole tells Shaibu

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Senator Adams Oshiomhole yesterday reflected on the alleged plan by embattled Edo State Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu to defect to the platform.

He said the APC is not a rehabilitation centre for distressed politicians.

Comrade Shaibu and his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, had defected from APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on June 19 ahead of the September 19, 2020 governorship election.

Yesterday, it was speculated that the deputy governor was retracing his steps to APC.

Oshiomhole, perceived as Shaibu’s benefactor before the parting of ways, spoke with reporters on the rift, shortly after paying a condolence visit to the family of the late Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri.

Oshiomhole said irrespective of the political party in power, he wanted peace for Edo State, adding that loyalty is key in politics.

He said: “Regardless of party divide, it is my wish for Edo State to be governed in peace and harmony because the supra party to which we all belong is the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In the political parties, the rate of camping and decamping and re-camping shows that the only thing that is constant is Nigeria and not the political parties.

“What I read about somebody (Shaibu) going to court to complain about being suspected of being impeached, I do not know how courts adjudicate over suspicion, but let me say this.

“To say that somebody wants to run to the APC, I want to say APC is not a rehabilitation centre. I can tell you that for free.

“We in APC are satisfied the way we are. We are happy in the opposition in Edo State, and we are not about to receive people who are coming because they have lost out. I want to say that there is no Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in APC.”

Oshiomhole admonished politicians with challenges to learn how to respect their bosses.

He said: “I have always advised people that whoever you work with, be loyal. I was here (Edo State), but I was unable to support my deputy (Pius Odubu) to succeed me.

“My deputy never took me to court. If there are people who always profit from crises, they cannot have my support.

“Regardless of what anybody will say, I come from only one of the clans in my local government.

“It would be nice if only my clan produced the governors, but I know that Nigeria does not work that way.

“There are those sentiments that people think that at this level of our development, the thing should go round.”