Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has reacted to reports that Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, was planning to rejoin the APC after falling out with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Oshiomhole said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not a rehabilitation centre for failed, disgruntled and disloyal politicians.
Oshiomhole, who made the statement on Thursday in Benin, said the APC was not interested in receiving politicians who had lost out in other parties. He said the party was happy to be in opposition and did not need to rehabilitate failed politicians.
He said, “About somebody going to court to complain based on suspicion that he was about to be impeached by the state House of Assembly, I don’t know how court adjudicates over suspicion.
“I hear someone is trying to run to the APC. Let me say this, the APC is not a rehabilitation centre for failed politicians.
“Those of us in APC are satisfied the way we are; we are happy to be in opposition. I want to say we are not about to receive people who are coming because they have lost out. I want to say no to IDP in the APC,” he added.
He also advised political officeholders to be loyal to their principals and to avoid taking their bosses to court. He said he had never supported his deputy when he was interested in succeeding him as governor and that he would not support anyone who was disloyal to their principal.
On Shaibu’s bid to succeed Obaseki, Oshiomhole said that it would be nice if his clan produced the next governor of Edo State but that Nigeria did not work that way. He said that it would be good for other zones to produce the next governor of the state based on the principle of fairness.
He added: “My advice is, those who are having challenges should learn how to respect their bosses. I also advise people that anybody you work with, be loyal.
“Many of you will attest to the fact that my deputy was interested in succeeding me when I was the governor, but I didn’t support him and he didn’t take me to court. And if there are people whose sole aim is to profit from crisis, such persons cannot get my support.”
“It would be nice if my clan produce the next governor of Edo State, but Nigeria doesn’t work that way. Based on the principle of fairness, it would be good for other zones to produce the next governor of the state
