Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has declared for the 2024 governorship race in the State.
By Emma Ogbuehi
After initial hiccups, Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has declared for the 2024 governorship race in the State. He stated that nothing and no one can stop him from picking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the race. The declaration is being interpreted as a direct affront on the governor, Godwin Obaseki, who has not hidden his disdain to the audacity by his deputy.
Shaibu made the declaration at the Pastoral Centre of St Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin, against the initial schedule of the exercise taking place at Eterno Hotel, Aiguobasimwin Crescent, off Ikpokpan Road, Government Reservation Area (GRA).
The sudden change in venue came about when some allies of Governor Obaseki Obaseki, opposed to Shaibu’s aspiration, fixed the fourth edition of meeting for progressive supporters of Obaseki’s Finish Well Group (FWG) for the same date and venue.
The group’s meeting was scheduled to start by 7:30am to campaign for Edo Governor’s anointed aspirant on PDP’s platform, Asue Ighodalo, a Lagos-based lawyer.
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Governor Obaseki has not concealed his disapproval to Shaibu going for the office. Very recently, the aspiration by his deputy put them on collision course with the |governor, allegedly making moves to impeach Shaibu. A combination of injunctions from the courts and peace efforts by elders of the PDP in the state, gave the deputy governor, a momentary reprieve. Shaibu, on his own, wrote a letter to the governor, pledging to be loyal to his person and office.
Both Obaseki and Shaibu had appeared to be enjoying the best of relationship till the latter began to show interest in the governorship race.
In his declaration, Shaibu, a former Edo Majority Leader and ex-member of the House of Representatives, said: “Back in the day, you did not just call me ‘Mr. Constituency Project,’ for nothing. In my time as a legislator, I delivered 49 constituency projects at the state level, and 13 solid constituency projects within my short stint at the federal level.
“I have fought the good fight for you, my people. Along the way, I suffered humiliations, and enjoyed many moments of victory, but I am thankful in all things.
“I have been pressed but not crushed, persecuted but not abandoned, badly hurt but not destroyed. I resonate with the tireless and irrepressible spirit of the Edo People. By the grace of God, nothing and no one can stop us. After all, I be original Edo son, 100 per cent home boy.
“This is why today, I stand before you with great conviction and resolve, as I declare my intention to run for the office of the Governor of Edo State, on the platform of the PDP, in the upcoming 2024 election, and I am confident that with your support, we can take Edo State to even greater heights.”
He promised his campaigns would be built upon five core pillars vital to the transformation and prosperity of Edo State.
