Senator Adams Oshiomhole has described the return of Philip Shaibu to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the “nature of politics”.
Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, is the political prodigy of Oshiomhole who is a former governor of the South-South state.
The duo fell out in the wake of Governor Godwin Obaseki and Shaibu’s second term win which led them to quit the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Despite returning to the APC after falling out with Obaseki, Oshiomhole who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics said Shaibu’s action is common in politics.
“Well, that is the nature of politics. Whatever you have done wrong, the day you realise that you have done wrong, and you have the courage to own up to your poor judgement or actions that were undemocratic, like they said, it is still better,” Oshiomhole who represents Edo North in the upper chamber said.
He said Shaibu had made mistakes in the past, being a member of any political party is a choice.
“A political party is a voluntary association and we are regulated by both the APC constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Nigerian Constitution. For me, it is not a big deal to worry about,” the former APC national chairman said.
According to him, only time will tell on worries about Shaibu’s loyalty to him having left the APC before returning.
“Well, that’s a theoretical question. Time will tell,” he said when asked about the reinstated deputy governor’s loyalty.
Shaibu return to Benin City in the wake of the reinstatement was marred by chaos after a police officer attached to the APC governorship candidate for the Edo election Monday Okpebholo was killed.
Since the incident, Shaibu’s camp and the Edo State government have continued to trade blame. The police have launched an investigation over the incident but Oshiomhole wants them to do more.
“Like I said yesterday, I think the commissioner has a duty to redeem the image of the police and live up to the bidding of a police commissioner under the Police Act,” he said.
Oshiomhole wants the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to compel the Edo Police Commissioner Funsho Adegboye to fish out the culprits.
“He [police commissioner] has a duty to arrest and prosecute those who are responsible,” the APC chieftain insisted.
