The Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, Emperor Jaret Tenebe, has assured the impeached deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, that he would not be abandoned.

He spoke yesterday when he paid Shiabu a solidarity visit in his Abuja residence, describing his impeachment as a sham and urged the former deputy governor to use all legal means to upturn it.

Tenebe told Shaibu: “I am here to pay you this solidarity visit because I still regard you as the deputy governor of Edo State because that sham they did in the Edo State House of Assembly is a disgrace to the governor and it is an aberration to our democracy which I know the court will not allow to stand.

“You are somebody who stood out. The price you paid is the price of loyalty. You were loyal even to the detriment of the people you started with. You paid that price.

“We just celebrated Easter, and we know the price Jesus Christ paid. He died for our sins, and what happened is a replica of what Jesus Christ did for humanity.

“Today, they have removed you as the deputy governor but we still regard you as the deputy governor. It is the price that you have paid to ensure that Obaseki and his semblance are rooted out of Edo State. I can tell you that we will not allow you to walk alone. We are with you in spirit.

“You are a strong man, and I am here as the chairman of APC in Edo State, and I am also an Uzairue indigene where we both come from. We should be strong. I implore you to continue to pursue this matter in court, and we will be with you all through, and God is your strength.

“When one door is closed, many more are opened, and many are opened for you from today. That is what the detractors don’t know. Be strong, and we will match on together.”

The visit comes barely 24 hours after some APC faithful in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State protested against the alleged planned return of Shaibu to the party.