Philip Shaibu, a former deputy governor of Edo State, has alleged that ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki defrauded him of $300,000.
In a recent interview with The Sun, Shaibu claimed that Obaseki took the money under the pretense of lobbying party leaders ahead of their decampment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“When the issue of moving to PDP arose and the debate was about what the party would gain, I told him to go ahead, even if it meant sacrificing the deputy governor slot,” Shaibu stated.
He further claimed: “I contributed $300,000. He told me he was adding it to $700,000 to lobby leaders in Port Harcourt, but we later found out from the zonal PDP Chairman that no such money was given.”
Expressing disappointment, Shaibu added, “He duped me. It took me seven months to repay the money in instalments. I had to raise the alarm because I was repaying a debt for money that was never used. Till today, he hasn’t returned it.”
He named key PDP figures, including Chief Dan Orbih and Ogbeide-Ihama, as witnesses to the situation.
Obaseki and Shaibu were once political allies but have been embroiled in a prolonged political battle.
Their fallout began after the 2020 Edo State gubernatorial election when tensions over succession plan emerged.
Shaibu, who had been loyal to Obaseki, reportedly sought to succeed him in 2024, but Obaseki resisted the move.
This led to public clashes, allegations, and Shaibu’s impeachment in 2024.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, the court later reinstated Shaibu, declaring his removal unconstitutional.
The ruling heightened the political crisis in Edo State, further widening the rift between the former allies.
Despite Obaseki’s efforts to maintain political control, his anointed candidate, Asue Ighodalo, lost the Edo State governorship election to Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.