The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has issued a stern warning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that the party will lose the upcoming governorship election if they do not field him as their candidate.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Shaibu asserted that he is the authentic candidate for the PDP and that Edo people do not want Asue Ighodalo to be their governor.
Shaibu emphasized, “The option is for the PDP not to go and argue against my candidacy, if they do that PDP will lose Edo State. Edo people do not want Asue Ighodalo to be the governor of Edo State because he is not a homeboy they know.”
Shaibu further stated that the party has a date with history and that the other eight aspirants will support him if the party backs him. He also criticized the primary that produced Ighodalo, claiming that it was organized by the state party executive and not the national executive of the party.
According to Shaibu, the state executive and the governor are supporters of Ighodalo and therefore would not conduct an unbiased election. He maintained that he was elected by the authentic delegates of the party in the state.
Shaibu’s comments highlight the tension within the PDP in Edo State as the party prepares for the governorship election on September 21. It remains to be seen how the party will navigate the internal divisions and select a candidate that will be acceptable to the people of Edo State.
