PDP may lose Edo over Shaibu’s conduct, says group

Stakeholders in the Edo Central Senatorial District have accused the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, of desperation to succeed his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, saying the situation may make the ruling Peoples Democratic Party lose next year’s governorship poll.

Speaking on behalf of the Edo Central people, the convener of Esan Advocates for Good Governance, Bartholomew Okoudo, called on Shaibu to back Obaseki’s desire to do the right thing by giving the ticket to a candidate from the region.

He said, “The people of Edo Central Senatorial District are calling on the Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, to exercise restraint and stop pressuring the governor to yield to pressure to disregard the senatorial zoning arrangement.

“His frequent tirade is to get the governor to endorse his candidacy for the governorship election holding next year. This is the singular reason he is employing different tricks to box the governor into a corner and extract a commitment.

“Shaibu’s attempt to curry public sympathy is aimed at arm-twisting the governor. The frustration he is expressing is only a coy way to make it seem as if he is being victimised, but everyone knows he is intoxicated by his inordinate ambition.”

But one of Shaibu’s allies, who pleaded anonymity, dismissed the claim by the group.

“I think the group got its facts wrong. The deputy governor is not desperate to become the governor of the state. Hopefully, the rift will be settled and the party will be better for it,” he said.