The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned a former deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, for describing the party candidate, Asue Ighodalo, as an outsider ahead of the September 21 governorship election in the state.
The party described Shaibu’s reason for his statement about Ighodalo as weak and urged him to resign from the party and support the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Monday Okpebholo, whom he has openly declared for.
Shaibu, a PDP member, on Sunday, said he would support the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Monday Okpebholo in the election.
The former deputy governor, who called Ighodalo an outsider and a product of godfatherism, added that Okpebholo possessed the characteristics of the homeboy needed to take over governance in Edo State.
Reacting however, the deputy director general of PDP in charge of media, Rev. Olu Martin, governorship campaign council, said they in NANS group are surprised with the political argument of Shaibu, as they were trained to argue on issues and not to be sentimental and proponents of ethnicity.
He said the argument of Shaibu’s home boy doesn’t hold water, adding that “because the candidate didn’t grow up in Edo, doesn’t make him a stranger in his own state.”
Martin said, “I thought Shaibu will tell us that the candidate he wants to support has the capacity, intelligence, knack for excellence and smarts which is the hallmark of a great leader.”
“The honourable thing he should have done is to resign from the PDP like others and support the APC candidate. His argument is that of weak people,” Martin added.
Recall that Shaibu lost PDP governorship primary election and was subsequently impeached by the State Assembly.
