- APC members in Etsako West protest against the rumored defection of impeached deputy governor Philip Shaibu from the PDP
- Party stakeholders submit a petition to prevent Shaibu’s alleged readmittance to the APC, appealing to party leadership to intervene
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State protested yesterday over the alleged planned defection of impeached deputy governor Philip Shaibu to the party.
Shaibu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was impeached by the State House of Assembly on Monday, sparking speculation about his potential move to the APC.
Party members from the 12 wards in his local government marched to the party secretariat with various placards to submit a petition against Shaibu’s purported readmittance into the party.
Speaking on behalf of the party stakeholders, Yakubu Musa noted that Shaibu’s departure from the APC in 2020 had brought peace and tranquillity to the party. He appealed to the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, and the State Acting Chairman, Jaret Tenebe, to prevent Shaibu from returning to the APC.
Musa Ebomhiana, Shaibu’s chief press secretary, dismissed the protest as sponsored by individuals aiming to embarrass him. He emphasized that no one can be deterred from their chosen political path, stating that “nobody owns the party.” Ebomhiana reiterated that political parties are open to all Nigerians and that joining any party is a democratic right. He added that more members contribute to the diversity and strength of the party.