The Lagos chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the impeached Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu to be patient with the party.

The party said the embattled deputy governor could still become governor of Edo.

The PDP chairman in Lagos, Philip Aivoji, made the appeal in an interview on Tuesday following the House of Assembly’s impeachment of Mr Shaibu.

On Monday, the Edo House of Assembly impeached Mr Shaibu after adopting the recommendation of a seven-man judicial panel led by retired Justice Stephen Omonua.

The relationship between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki went sour when the former indicated interest in succeeding the latter, which led to a parallel party governorship primary in February.

Following Mr Shaibu’s removal, the governor immediately appointed and swore in 38-year-old Omobayo Godwin as the deputy governor.

Mr Aivoji said the impeached deputy governor should remain in the party despite the development and never consider leaving.

He said Mr Shaibu could still become the state’s governor with perseverance and patience.

“What we are concerned about is winning Edo back for PDP. The impeached deputy governor needs to be patient and hand over everything to God.

“Whatever happens, no one ever can tell. He (Mr Shaibu) can still become the governor in the future. He should not leave the party. That is my advice because it is the party that brought him up. When he became the deputy governor, there were millions of people who could have become the deputy governor before the party picked him.

“Since this has happened, he should look for a way of mending fences to actualise his dream of becoming the governor. He can still become the governor,” he said.

Mr Aivoji said he did not think Mr Shaibu’s impeachment would affect the party’s fortunes in Edo’s September 21 governorship election.

“If it would affect, they (the lawmakers) would not have taken that decision,” he said.

Mr Aivoji called on the PDP in Edo to work harder and block all necessary loopholes to win the election.

(NAN)