Edo PDP Crisis: Obaseki, Shaibu Can’t Win Against Wike – Afegbua

A former campaign spokesman for ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Kassim Afegbua has accused the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki of instigating his Deputy, Philip Shaibu against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Afegbua who is also from Edo State accused both Governor Obaseki and Shaibu of arrogantly leading the people of the state after they were helped to win the election.

He however warned that they stand no chance against the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, following the recent exchange of heated words between the Rivers State Governor and his Edo counterpart.

Speaking in an article titled ‘Wike and political asylum seekers in Edo (1)’, Afegbua said Wike played critical roles in the emergence of Obaseki and Shaibu as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State respectively but the two politicians have failed to show gratitude, but rather want to bite the finger that fed them.

He warned the Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State to have a quick rethink, retrace their steps and amend their ways as they are fighting a lost cause.

“For being an insider to all processes that threw up Governor Obaseki and his Deputy, Governor Wike knows exactly what he was talking about. And the solution to all these is the 9-lettered word; gratitude.

“Just show appreciation and gratitude… Otherwise, the present political impasse in the state will continue its macabre dance,” the article read in part.

“Governor Obaseki and his co-travellers often behave like political asylum seekers. As migrants who were helped to cross the border, they got into the asylum camp, participated in the internal politics of the camp, and got familiar with it. Having been given residency, they now want to undo the real citizens of the country.

“In fact, they are telling the real citizens that though they are migrants, but that the other integrative laws apply to them. And that if the host country refuses to accord them the leadership, they are ready to tear down the walls, flag, and other insignia that the country holds dear. I doubt if they will live to enjoy the spoil of their new agitation,” Afegbua added.

He accused Obaseki of making Shaibu a fall guy and pushing him to make dangerous political statements.

He said: “What Governor Obaseki cannot say, he pushes his pliant Deputy to vomit, making him the fall-guy of a system that has been heavily compromised in terms of failed promises and empty rhetorics.

“Obaseki’s Deputy, Phillip Shuaibu, often wants to be seen as fearless, outspoken, and more political than his boss.”