Edo Deputy Governor, Shaibu, Dares Governor, Declares Ambition

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has formally announced his entrance into the race for the 2024 Governorship race, thus ending weeks of  anxiety.

In a pre-recorded speech aired on Monday, Shaibu,  said he would run for the office of the number one citize in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

After his official declaration, Shaibu launched his campaign office in Benin City, the State capital, at an event crowded with party supporters in branded attires and other items.

“After all the consultation we have made, we needed to now make the answer to our consultation known to our people. And the answer is clear: they have asked me to run.”

The 53-year-old politician said he has put his life on the line for the development and growth of the State, and that he was determined to make the South-South state great again.

Shaibu, who has been having a running battle with his Principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, for some time over his political ambition, said though he was persecuted, he was not crushed.

Shaibu is from Edo North Senatorial District, the same district as ex-governor of the State and current lawmaker representing the district in the 10th National Assembly, Adams Oshiomhole.

Both Obaseki and Shaibu were once allies of Oshiomhole, but the political association among them tumbled towards the 2020 governorship election when the ex-labour leader was accused of ‘godfatherism’ which he denied.