Ahead of the Edo State 2024 governorship election, the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has made a formal announcement, expressing his desire to compete for the Peoples Democratic Party ticket in the forthcoming party primaries.
Shaibu made his declaration known in a pre-recorded televised announcement on Monday morning.
“As your deputy governor in the last seven years, I have had the privilege of working closely with our amiable governor, Godwin Obaseki, to lay a solid foundation for the progress in Edo State,” he said.
Following his declaration, Shaibu inaugurated his campaign office in Benin City, the capital of the state. The event witnessed a large gathering of party supporters.
Speaking at his campaign office, he said, “The project for me to be the governor of Edo State is not just mine; it’s a collective one. We have decided in Edo State that original own boy, 100 per cent, has to be the governor of Edo State.
“After all the consultations we have made, we needed to now make the answer to our consultation known to our people. And the answer is clear: they have asked me to run.”
Shaibu finds himself at odds with Obaseki, as the latter is reportedly unwilling to support his deputy’s bid for succession.