The acrimony between the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated, with the APC defending former deputy governor Philip Shaibu’s decision to support the APC candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial election. The APC has accused the PDP of leading Edo State to political obscurity under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The controversy erupted after Shaibu, who lost the PDP’s primary election to Asue Ighodalo, described Ighodalo as an “outsider” and pledged his support for APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, whom he referred to as a “homeboy.” Shaibu’s remarks prompted calls from the PDP for his resignation from the party.
However, the APC has dismissed the PDP’s demands, arguing that the party should be more concerned about Obaseki’s leadership, which they claim is leading the party to political oblivion in Edo State.
“The APC wishes to call on Nigerians and Edo people, in particular, to ignore the irritating and baseless call on a former deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, to resign his membership of the drowning Peoples Democratic Party because of his open declaration of support for Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the APC,” stated Orobosa Omo-Ojo, the Publicity Director of the Edo State APC.
Omo-Ojo further accused the PDP of failing to recognize the “hurricane” that has hit the party, with virtually everyone of political relevance leaving. He suggested that the PDP should instead suspend Obaseki for leading them to political obscurity in Edo State.
The APC director praised Shaibu as an “Iroko” (a political giant) and a true definition of a “homeboy,” likening him to the APC candidate, Senator Okpebholo. He advised the PDP to concentrate its efforts on explaining to the people of Edo what Ighodalo and his running mate intend to bring to the state after serving for 28 years without any major development.
Additionally, Omo-Ojo called on the Edo State Government to set up an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged leakage of examination questions for basic examinations in the state, which he claims has plagued the “Edo Best education programme” since 2020.
The escalating war of words between the APC and PDP in Edo State highlights the intense political rivalry and tension ahead of the gubernatorial election. As both parties trade accusations and defend their positions, the electorate will be closely watching to see how these dynamics unfold and influence the electoral outcome.
