The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the impeached Edo Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, to be patient with the party, saying he could still become governor of the state.
The PDP Lagos State Chairman, Mr Philip Aivoji, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, following the impeachment of Shaibu by the House of Assembly.
NAN reports that the Edo House of Assembly on Monday impeached Shaibu following the adoption of the recommendation of a seven-man judicial panel led by retired Justice Stephen Omonua.
The relationship between Shaibu and his boss, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, went sour when the former indicated interest to succeed the latter, the development which led to the a parallel party governorship primary in Feb.
Consequent upon Shaibu’s removal, Obaseki immediately appointed and swore in 38-year-old Mr Omobayo Godwin as his new deputy.
Reacting, Aivoji said that Shaibu should remain in the party in spite the development, and never to consider leaving the party at all.
He said that Shaibu could still become the governor of the state with perseverance and patience.
“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,” he said.
On whether or not the impeachment of Shaibu would affect the fortune of the party in the Sept. 21 governorship election in the state, Aivoji said he didn’t think so.
“If it would affect, they (the lawmakers) would not have taken that decision, ” he said.
Aivoji called on the Edo chapter PDP to work harder and block all necessary loopholes to win the election.
(NAN)
