The reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, says he is now “an unofficial member” of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He spoke in a chat during Arise TV’s Good Morning Show on Friday.
On Wednesday, a federal high court sitting in Abuja ordered that Shaibu be reinstated as deputy governor of Edo after his impeachment in April.
In his first public appearance after the ruling, Shaibu’s convoy was attacked in Benin City by suspected gunmen, where a police officer was killed.
Shaibu, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was with Monday Okpebholo, the APC flagbearer for the September 21 governorship election in Edo, when the incident happened.
When he was asked about his relationship with the APC governorship candidate, Shaibu said his “spirit” has left the ruling PDP in the state.
He also said that he is “as good as being a member of APC” and “the only thing is that I have not officially left PDP”.
“For now, I am PDP. But going forward, if I declare for APC, it means that I have declared full support for Okpebholo,” Shaibu said.
“I am as good as being a member of APC, I can tell you that. I have two legs in APC. The only thing is that I have not officially left PDP. I am an unofficial member of APC. My spirit has left PDP.”
Shaibu was impeached April following his fall out with Godwin Obaseki, Edo state governor.