The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, may be on collision course with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki after declaring his interest to contest the 2024 governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State on Monday in Benin.
Shaibu, who said he had weathered unpleasant political storms, declared that nobody could stop his governorship ambition.
His formal declaration on Monday came after months-long crisis and suspicion between Shaibu and his principal, Obaseki, who was not disposed to Shaibu’s move.
Shaibu made the declaration at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, describing himself as “a homeboy who knows and feels the pain of the people,” urging the electorate and party members to back his ambition.
The deputy governor said having been in politics for 30 years and working with Obaseki in the last seven years to improve the state, he was in the best position to succeed his principal.
The event, which was earlier scheduled to take place at Eterno Hotels, GRA, Benin, was shifted late Sunday night when information flittered in that one of Governor Obaseki’s support groups, “Obaseki Ending Well,” had also scheduled an event at the same venue for 7.30 pm on Monday.
The hotel cancelled Shaibu’s booking and refunded his money, forcing him to settle for St. Paul Catholic Church off Airport Road in Benin.
Shaibu told his supporters said that despite his present predicament, his antecedents in the struggle for democracy were parts of the factors for him to move on to actualise his dream.
He described himself as a “hundred percent homeboy”, alluding to the clamour that the next governor of the state must be homegrown.
Shaibu hinged his campaign on five pillars: infrastructural development, economic diversification, education, and sports.
He also listed skills development and job creation, healthcare and social welfare system, agriculture, rural development and poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability as other priority areas.
He said, “Under our administration, we have seen remarkable achievements and milestones, but there is still much work to be done. I am aware of the need by the greater Edo people for a more inclusive government, a government of the Edo people, by the Edo people, and for the Edo people.”
He said his administration would be “a government of individuals who have been there and know the pains and wishes of an average Edolite.”
Shaibu said under his watch, the state’s Internally Generated Revenue grew impressively, which he attributed to the introduction of digital and cutting-edge ideas.
“Back in the day, you didn’t 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 humiliation 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; your hundred per cent homeboy.
“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 Peoples Democratic Party in the upcoming 2024 election,” he stated.
An ally of the deputy governor, Immam Babangida, said Shaibu’s declaration was long expected and that he would bring back credibility to the PDP.
He said, “He has done well throughout his career and we expected this declaration. We are happy he declared his intention now because he is the only one who can help the PDP to remain in the saddle in the state. Without him, the PDP cannot win the next election.
“When you look at the pedigree of the aspirant you will see that he is most experienced and qualified. Shaibu is a peaceful and loving person, everybody knows this and he can bring unity to the party again. He is a homeboy who knows the politics of the state and he is the only candidate that can bring credibility to the party. He has the capacity.”
The Secretary of the PDP, Hilary Otsu said that the party had space for all the aspirants, noting that Shaibu had shown seriousness with the way he declared his intention.
He said, “Everyone is free to come and declare their intention. The deputy governor also has the right to do the same. The party’s space is wide enough for more people to come in. Until the form is released and people start buying, you can’t really say who is serious about contesting for the governorship.
“With his declaration, he has shown seriousness and we will wait and see how things play out.”
