It’s my right to contest in an election, I’ve made several efforts to mend the relationship with gov. Obaseki to no avail – Shaibu

February 23, 2024

The deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu, says he has made several efforts to mend his relationship with governor Godwin Obaseki to no avail following.

Shaibu who stated that it is his right to contest in an election noted that the dispute between himself and the state governor is as a result of his decision to contest for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.

Shaibu, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, said Obaseki is not happy that he is not supporting his preferred candidate.

“He has not been happy that I’m not supporting his candidate. It is my right to contest in an election and I’m exercising that right. And he has done a lot of negative things. It doesn’t really matter, I see it as politics.

“I’ve made up my mind to always respect the office of the governor, and I’ll continue to respect the office of the governor till the end, whether as deputy or any other thing.

“So the relationship is not cordial, I can tell you that. It’s not from my own end, it’s from his own end because I have made attempts to bridge the gap, but he doesn’t allow it”, Shaibu said.

The deputy governor said he had made several efforts to mend the relationship with the governor to no avail.

“I have called him and he doesn’t pick up, even in public functions, I greet him, but he doesn’t answer me, because I have made up my mind that I must exercise my right.

“We’ve never had any differences, the only difference we have is ‘why are you contesting’?”

Shaibu emerged winner in a parallel primary as Asue Ighodalo was elected as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the September 21 governorship election.

However, the deputy governor has maintained that he is the authentic candidate of the PDP, saying that the party risks losing the state if it backs Ighodalo.

“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.

“They are looking for someone that they know, somebody they can feel, somebody they can touch. PDP has a date with history, delegates have spoken that they want Shuaibu and I can bet you that the other eight aspirants will support Shuaibu if they party back him.

“If the party decides to join us in court to argue for Ighodalo then PDP then winning Edo State for PDP will be shaky because Asue will not be accepted by the people,” Shaibu said.