It is no longer news that Edo State deputy governor, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu is interested in taking over from his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.
Shaibu’s interest to occupy Osadebey’s avenue, the Edo seat of power is coming at a greater cost for the political activist having suffered what some observers considered as ‘ political vendetta ‘ in the hands of the governor.
His decision to shake the political table came with consequences as his state governor ordered the relocation of his office within the precinct of the government house. Allowances and fuel supply to his vehicle allegedly stopped. His supervisor of sport and revenue collection was also taken from him.
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Last week, Monday, despite the obvious fact that his aspiration did not get the desired support and blessing of the governor, he drew the battle line when he declared and threw his hat into the 2024 governorship ring at a colourful ceremony.
He boasted before his supporters of defeating Obaseki’s preferred choice , Asue Ighodalo at the February 2024 governorship primaries.
His ambition no doubt, kickstarted a series of heightened political activities in the ‘heart beat of the nation as Shaibu prided himself as 100 percent ‘homeboy’ , a new mantra in Edo political lexicon.
The search for a ‘homeboy’ came to the fore over the governorship aspiration of Obaseki’s preferred successor and business ally, Asue Ighodalo considered by many as ‘stranger’ to the politics of Edo State.
Obaseki asserted that Shaibu had the constitutional right to contest for the state governorship, saying nobody had a right to discourage the deputy governor.
He, however, sidestepped the question of whether or not he would support Shaibu.
“The relationship, as you know, has been cordial. He (Philip) wants to run for the office I currently occupy and he is free to. I think as a Nigerian, he has the constitutional right to run, nobody can or should stop him.
“The party will decide and also members of the party will decide who will be the flag bearer of the party in the forthcoming governorship election.”
When asked whether he would support him, Obaseki said, “I’m only one out of millions of our party members in Edo State. I don’t think my vote alone will determine whether he becomes the party’s flag bearer,” Governor Obaseki stated.
