The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has cautioned the Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, against defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Mr Oshiomole said the party is not an internally displaced persons, IDP, camp that receives politicians who have lost out in their parties.
Mr Shaibu had filed a suit against Governor Godwin Obaseki at a Federal High Court in Abuja, asking the court to stop the governor from initiating an impeachment move against him.
He was later rumoured to be considering the possibility of defecting to the APC, to pursue his governorship ambition.
But speaking to newsmen after paying a condolence visit to the family of the late Esogban of Benin, David Edebiri, Mr Oshiomole said the APC was not a rehabilitation centre for “lost out” politicians.
“To say that somebody wants to run to APC; APC is not a rehabilitation center. We, in APC, are satisfied with the way we are; we are happy in opposition. We are not about to receive people who are coming because they have lost out.
“There is no IDP camp in APC. My advice is that those who are having challenges should learn to respect their bosses,” Mr Oshiomole said.
The former national chairman of the APC also said he could never support individuals who only benefit from crises.
“I have always advised people that whoever you work with, be loyal. I was here, I was unable to support my deputy to succeed me. But my deputy never took me to court, and if there are people who profit only from crisis, they cannot have my support.
“I also do understand, regardless of what anybody will say. I come from one of the clans from my local government area, and even based on the principle of fairness, it will be nice if only my clan produces governors.
“But I know Nigeria doesn’t work that way. There are those sentiments that people feel that at the level of development, everything should go round. I pray that God is able to help us to have peace.”
He added, “I have a rare privilege of being the chief steward at Dennis Osadebay Avenue, it is my wish that this government and future governments, regardless of political platform, govern in peace and harmony. I do not know how the court adjudicates on suspicion of impeachment.”
Speaking earlier, the lammaker eulogised the “sterling qualities” of the late Edebiri, saying that he [Edebiri] took him as his son and was always running to him for advice.
