A prominent figure in Nigerian politics, Philip Shaibu was born on December 1st, 1969 in Kaduna. He held the position of deputy governor for Edo State between 2016 and his impeachment (which has since been invalidated) in 2024.
Shaibu’s venture into politics initiated when he decided to retire voluntarily from the Nigerian Prisons Service, having previously served there for years and aspired to political pursuits.
Shaibu earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Jos in 2000 and served as President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) during his time there. He went on to obtain an MBA from the University of Benin in 2015, furthering his academic journey.
Shaibu’s venture into politics commenced in 2003 with the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), culminating in his victory as a member of the Edo State House of Assembly under Action Congress (AC) in 2007. In recognition of his remarkable legislative contributions, he eventually clinched the position of Majority Leader during his term.
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Shaibu made his entry into national politics in 2015 after emerging victorious in the election for the Etsako Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat. He then went on to further climb up the political ladder by being chosen as Governor Godwin Obaseki’s running mate for the Edo State gubernatorial elections held in 2016 and together, they secured a landslide victory which led them to take their oath of office on November 12th that same year.
Despite experiencing significant political maneuvers, such as his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2020 and subsequent legal and administrative challenges, Shaibu remains committed to public service and governance.
On July 17, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the Edo State House of Assembly’s impeachment of him was illegal and confirmed his status as Deputy Governor.
On July 19, 2024, the decision of the court was challenged by the Edo State House of Assembly at the Court of Appeal. As a result, Shaibu’s attempt to resume office was thwarted.
Shaibu returned to his former party, the APC on Saturday 20 July, 2024 after dumping PDP.
Shaibu, who has a family composed of Mrs. Maryann Philip-Shaibu and children, remains instrumental in shaping the political arena in Edo State due to his combination of scholarly aptitude, grassroots backing, and determined commitment to public service.
