Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on Thursday declared that the fate of his deputy, Philip Shaibu, and his governorship ambition would be determined by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The announcement comes just days after Shaibu officially threw his hat into the ring for the 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
Edo 2024: Shaibu Declares Candidacy for PDP Ticket in Governorship Election
Governor Obaseki, who initially ascended to power under the All Progressives Congress (APC) but later switched allegiance to the PDP, emphasized the pivotal role the main opposition party would play in shaping Shaibu’s political future.
The political maneuvering within Edo State has been closely watched, especially since Governor Obaseki’s defection to the PDP after a fallout with his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole.
Following a private discussion with Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed and former Akwa-Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, Obaseki stated:
“The party will decide and also members of the party will decide who will be the flag bearer of the party in the forthcoming governorship election.”
“The relationship as you know, has been cordial. He (Philip) wants to run for the office I currently occupy and he is free to. I think as a Nigerian, he has the constitutional right to run, nobody can or should stop him.”
When questioned about endorsing Shaibu, he responded:
“I’m only one out of millions of our party members in Edo state. I don’t think my vote alone will determine whether he becomes the party’s flag bearer.”
The entry of Deputy Governor Shaibu into the 2024 governorship race had been shrouded in speculation for months, creating an uncertainty among political observers.
“Governor Obaseki Proud of my Performance” – Shaibu
During his visit to Bauchi, Governor Obaseki mentioned that the purpose was to participate in conversations concerning party politics and national matters.
Due to the elimination of fuel subsidies causing an increase in the cost of living, Governor Obaseki urges the nation’s leaders to act as providers of solutions.
“Nigerians are suffering, and the suffering is unprecedented. But I think we should stop lamenting and think of what to do as leaders to confront the issues we face to reduce the suffering of our people and put more food on the tables,” he said.
“The year is coming to an end and the prices of food items are going up what can we, as PDP governors do to ameliorate the sufferings of our people? These are some of the things we came to talk about while preserving the unity of this country.”