Prior to the upcoming governorship election in Edo State on September 21, Philip Shaibu, a former deputy governor of the state, has distanced himself from the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo.
Shaibu expressed his preference for supporting a local candidate, stating this during the 2024 Father’s Day celebration at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City.
Alleging that the PDP candidate is an outsider, Shaibu mentioned that the governorship competition initially involved himself and two other local candidates – Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).
While disclosing his endorsement for the APC candidate, Shaibu cautioned against the victory of the PDP candidate, suggesting that it might lead to the resurgence of godfatherism in Edo State.
In his words, Shaibu stated, “Today, I arrived here as a local candidate. There are only two local candidates from major political parties in Edo State, one in the Labour Party and one in the APC, and I have chosen to align with another local candidate in the APC.”
He continued by pointing out, “The individual being promoted by the PDP is an outsider, and we have all agreed that there is no room for godfatherism in Edo anymore.”
Shaibu emphasized, “The person being projected by the PDP in Edo is the protege of Obaseki, and it is not feasible for a protege to become the governor of Edo.”