In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves across Edo State’s political landscape, former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu has declared his support for Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the upcoming September 21 governorship election. Shaibu’s announcement, made on the sidelines of the 2024 Father’s Day celebration at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City, has raised eyebrows and sparked debates about the potential implications for the electoral contest.
Shaibu, a former governorship aspirant on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, had been removed from office by the Edo House of Assembly for allegedly disclosing official government secrets. His removal came amid a political rift with Governor Godwin Obaseki, further fueling tensions within the party’s ranks.
Defending his decision to support an opposition candidate, Shaibu argued that his action is not “anti-party,” citing Obaseki’s earlier statement that everyone has the right to support whoever they choose in any election. “The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, says that everybody has the right to support whoever he wants to support, but he also forgot that he doesn’t have the right to stop anybody from whom he wants to support,” Shaibu stated.
Explaining his rationale for backing Okpebholo, Shaibu emphasized his desire to support a “homeboy” – a candidate who understands the challenges faced by the people of Edo State. He described Okpebholo and the Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, as the two remaining “homeboys” in the race, contrasting them with the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, whom he labeled as an “outsider” and Obaseki’s “godson.”
“I will support a homeboy. I came into politics to contest as the governor of Edo State because I need the government to return to homeboys – people who understand our plight, people who understand what the people are feeling,” Shaibu asserted. “We don’t want outsiders, we have experimented with outsiders, and it’s not working. So, this time around, we want homeboy.”
Shaibu’s decision to throw his weight behind the APC candidate is seen as a significant blow to the PDP’s campaign efforts, as he was once a prominent figure within the party’s ranks. His criticism of Ighodalo as an “outsider” and his opposition to “godfatherism” in Edo State politics have further intensified the already heated political climate.
The move has also raised questions about potential shifts in political allegiances and the impact such changes could have on the electoral outcomes. As the campaign season intensifies, all eyes will be on the various candidates and their strategies to sway voters in their favor.
While Shaibu’s endorsement of Okpebholo may bolster the APC’s chances, it remains to be seen how the electorate will respond to this unexpected development. Political analysts and observers are closely monitoring the situation, anticipating further twists and turns in what promises to be a highly contested and unpredictable electoral battle for the governorship of Edo State.
