I almost lost my life, family protecting Oshiomhole — Shaibu

Edo State Deputy Governor

Philip Shaibu has said he and other members of his family were almost killed while trying to save the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, from being impeached by lawmakers when he was Edo State governor.

Shaibu said this yesterday after receiving an award as the Midwest Tempo Magazine Man of the Year, for his contribution to the growth of democracy in Nigeria and the development of Edo State.

He charged the people of the state to support Governor Godwin Obaseki’s efforts aimed at redefining governance to improve the lives of residents.

“I was brutalised over Comrade Oshiomhole. I laid down my life for him; threw my family through the fence for safety when I was attacked for his sake. My hands were stitched after I was attacked on the floor of the State House of Assembly to save him from being impeached in his first and second terms in office,” he said.

He wondered why Oshiomhole wants to stand against Governor Obaseki’s second term bid, saying he once told him that he believes in second term as first term was never enough for someone to make a difference.

“I remember Oshiomhole once told me he believes in second term, as four years is not enough for someone to make a difference. Edo people listened to him and the party gave him an overwhelming consensus, which made him emerge as the party’s candidate leading to his victory in the election,” he said.

Earlier, the publisher of Midwest Tempo magazine, Comrade Emeka Ogbeide, commended the deputy governor for the role he played in ensuring Nigeria returned to democracy, as well as his support to the governor in developing the state.