Oshiomhole’s Difficulties With His ‘Son’ Philip

The fracas in the Iyahmo, Edo State residence of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC has brought to fore his frustrations with his political offspring, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, the deputy governor of the state.

Shuaibu like virtually every other political actor in the APC at the beginning of the Godwin Obaseki administration emerged at the benevolence of Oshiomhole.

However, as the echo of the fracas in his residence went across the nation last weekend, one sore point and personal disappointment for Oshiomhole was Shuaibu who the former singularly blamed for the fracas.

“Comrade was not totally disappointed with Obaseki given what has been going on. But for Shuaibu who was like his first son, it was a letdown,” a source close to Oshiomhole said on Sunday.

“Comrade has been the one behind Shuaibu’s politics and even before then. His major break in life came at the benevolence of Comrade and it was Comrade who guided him to the State House of Assembly, made him majority leader and advanced him to the House of Representatives before ensuring he emerged as deputy governor. In fact, some had believed that he was his son,” the source who has associated with both men told GreenWhiteGreen.

Whatever is Shuaibu’s misgiving with Comrade has not been let out, but the deputy governor has remained a firm supporter of Governor Obaseki in the fight between the incumbent and his predecessor.

Before the emergence of Obaseki as an aspirant in 2016, it had been believed that Shuaibu would pair with Osarodion Ogie, for the APC ticket with the latter being candidate and Shuaibu as running mate.

However, for some other considerations, Oshiomhole preferred Obaseki. Ogie who had served as deputy to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the Grace Group that brought Oshiomhole to power took over the structure and leadership of the group after Pastor Ize-Iyamu defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Expectation that Ogie who was commissioner for works would emerge as Oshiomhole’s successor was blown when the former labour leader pushed forward Obaseki bringing a personal disappointment to Ogie and his buddy, Shuaibu.

Ogie who Oshiomhole made the campaign manager for Obaseki’s successful 2016 election was appointed the third man in the government as Secretary to the State Government.

It had been assumed that none of the two friends, Ogie and Shuaibu would dare confront Oshiomhole in the dispute with Obaseki. However, both men have been moving apace to dismantle the political structure controlled by Oshiomhole pushing forward a structure in support for Obaseki.

Shuaibu a source said has been taking over the structure in Edo North with Ogie also doing a similar thing in Edo South.

The Oshiomhole source disclosed on Sunday that because of the political feud that neither Shuaibu nor Obaseki got invitation for the post convocation lunch in the residence of the national chairman.

“Shuaibu was not invited and the governor was not invited,” the source disclosed on Sunday.

“Oshiomhole had invited the Oba of Lagos, the chancellor and some others for lunch when the youths around his gate saw some political operatives who were involved in the fracas in his Benin residence recently.

“The youths felt that those fellows could not enter the house and that was what caused the fracas. They were in the bus with Shuaibu and the youths vowed that they would not enter inside the compound,” the source said.

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