Etsako West Local Government Area witnessed a peaceful demonstration by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing their disapproval of the alleged plans for the former Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, to rejoin the party. This development follows the recent impeachment of Shaibu by the Edo State House of Assembly over charges of misconduct and perjury.
The assembly’s decision was based on the findings of a seven-man panel appointed by Chief Judge Daniel Okungbowa, which determined Shaibu guilty of disclosing state secrets. However, the perjury accusation was not substantiated to the required level of certainty.
The protesters, representing APC stakeholders from the locality’s 12 wards, convened at the party’s local secretariat to voice their concerns. They brandished placards and submitted a petition against Shaibu’s rumored reintegration into the APC. According to spokesperson Yakubu Musa, Shaibu’s departure from the APC in 2020 resulted in a more harmonious party environment, suggesting that his return could disrupt this peace.
Musa emphasized, “Philip Shaibu has not won any election since he left the APC for the PDP. He does not bring any electoral value that would justify his return to our great party.” The group warned that welcoming Shaibu back could lead to conflict, division, and the weakening of the party’s unity.
In response to the protest, Musa Ebomhiana, Philip Shaibu’s chief press secretary, denounced the demonstration as a targeted attempt to discredit Shaibu. Ebomhiana argued that the party is open to all Nigerians, emphasizing that no individual has the authority to exclude others from joining. “The party belongs to all Nigerians, and no one can stop anyone from joining any political party. The more, the merrier,” he stated, indicating that such protests would not deter Shaibu’s political aspirations or affiliations.
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions within the APC in Etsako West and highlights the complexities of party politics in Nigeria, where affiliations and allegiances can significantly impact local and national political dynamics.
