The embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has officially declared his intention to contest in the upcoming state gubernatorial election in 2024. The announcement comes amid speculations about his strained relationship with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
During a press conference held in Benin, the state capital, on Monday, Shaibu acknowledged that while Governor Obaseki is proud of his performance on various assignments, the only misstep he has taken is declaring his political ambition.
In an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday morning, Shaibu expressed confidence in securing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the gubernatorial race. Despite facing challenges and assumptions about his candidacy, Shaibu remains steadfast in his pursuit of the highest office in the state.
Edo 2024: Shaibu Declares Candidacy for PDP Ticket in Governorship Election
“I can assure you I will secure the ticket. I am a party man to the core,” Shaibu noted during the interview.
He added:
“They tried to push me out of the PDP. They did everything. They even announced that I would be declaring a particular day. And the day they announced I would be declaring, I was actually with my family enjoying my vacation.
“I am not even having a conversation with anybody. Their game was to put pressure on me, get me angry, and I will leave the party for them. Unfortunately, I am not somebody that you will use pressure to get me out.
“I am emboldened with the commitment to serve. I don’t do things because I will directly benefit. I do things because I look at everybody in that chain. I am a team player, and when I see what the generality of what our people are saying is correct…
“The Governor is proud of me…there’s no assignment I have been given that I haven’t done well. What I have done (wrong) is say that I want to be the state’s governor.”
