Former Edo Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has publicly endorsed Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the upcoming September 21st election in Edo State.
This support marks a significant move in the political landscape of Edo State as the election date approaches.
Shaibu, known for his grassroots political activism, highlighted the importance of electing a candidate deeply familiar with the local issues and sentiments. He described Okpebholo as one of the two “home boys” among the 16 candidates running for governor. The other “home boy,” according to Shaibu, is Olumide Akpata, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party and a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association. Both candidates, Shaibu believes, have the essential qualities needed to propel Edo forward.
“I will support a home boy. I came in to contest to be the Governor of Edo State because I needed governance to return to a home boy, somebody who understands our plight, somebody who understands what the people are feeling,” Shaibu stated. He made this declaration to reporters at St. Paul Catholic Church on Airport Road, Benin, during the Fathers’ Day celebration.
Criticizing the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, Shaibu labeled him a product of godfatherism, a practice vehemently opposed by former Governor Senator Adams Oshiomhole. “Asue Ighodalo they are parading in the PDP is an outsider, and we have also agreed that no more godfatherism in Edo. The man PDP is parading is the godson of Governor Godwin Obaseki. There is no way a godson can be governor of Edo State again,” Shaibu remarked.
Explaining his decision further, Shaibu emphasized the need for a candidate with deep local roots. “We do not want an outsider. We have experimented with an outsider, and it is not working. So, this time round, we want a home boy. I came into the contest as a home boy, but today, we have only two home boys in the major political parties: one is in the LP, and the other is in APC. I decided to follow the home boy in the APC.”
Addressing potential allegations of anti-party activities, Shaibu defended his stance by pointing to the previous election dynamics. “It is not an anti-party activity. In the last election, Obaseki was one leg in LP, and the other leg in PDP. So, my decision cannot be described as anti-party activity.”
Shaibu, who previously served as President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, praised Okpebholo for his grassroots political experience and capability. “Enough of English that takes us nowhere. We are talking about good governance. Okpebholo understands the plight of Edo residents. He who wears the shoe knows where it pinches.”
He also questioned the appropriateness of the PDP candidate, “Asue Ighodalo, who has never voted in any election, how can he be seeking our votes? Why are some people comparing Asue Ighodalo, a Lagos-based lawyer, with Okpebholo, a sitting senator (of Edo Central Senatorial District), who is really a home boy? When Olumide Akpata and Okpebholo get home to their people, they will speak their languages, unlike Asue Ighodalo.”
In conclusion, Shaibu reiterated the importance of choosing a leader who truly understands and shares the experiences of Edo residents, underlining the significance of this election for the state’s future.
