Comrade Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State, formally announced on Monday that he would run for governor of Edo State in 2024 under the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
In his early-morning statement, Shaibu mentioned his political struggles over the past few months in particular and said he would not back down from his progress against the negative attitude of his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The announcement ceremony, which had originally been planned for the Eterno Hotels, GRA, Benin, was rescheduled for late Sunday night when rumours circulated that “Obaseki ending well,” one of Governor Obaseki’s support organisations, had also planned an event for Monday, July 30, at the same location. Shaibu was compelled by the developments to choose a new location, and he decided on the hallowed grounds of a Catholic church in Benin City, the state capital.
Speaking to his supporters at the newly acquired Bishop Kelly Pastoral Central, the deputy governor claimed that, in spite of his current situation, his history in the fight for democracy served as some of the catalysts that allowed him to advance and fulfil his dream.
Declaring himself a “100 percent Home Boy,” Shaibu hinted at the demand that the state’s next governor be a native, not an immigrant, a subtly suggestive statement towards Governor Obaseki’s favoured candidate. He based his campaign on five platforms: economic diversification, education, sports, infrastructure development, and education.
The social welfare system, healthcare, agriculture, rural development, poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, and transparent governance are few more. These include skill development and employment creation.
He claimed that throughout the previous seven years of close collaboration with Governor Godwin Obaseki, a strong foundation for advancement had been established in the state.
Although there has been a lot of progress under our administration, there is still more to be done. I recognise that a more inclusive government—one that is run by, for, and by the people of Edo—is required by the larger Edo community.
READ ALSO: Philip Shaibu announced his intention to run for governorship on Monday
“A government of individuals who have been there and know the pains and wishes of an average Edolite,” he underlined, would be the nature of his administration.
Shaibu maintained that the adoption of innovative and digital ideas was the reason behind the state’s excellent growth in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) during his tenure.
“You didn’t just call me Mr. Constituency Project for nothing back in the day.” During my brief tenure as a federal legislator, I produced 13 strong constituency initiatives and 49 state-level constituency projects.
“I have fought the good fight for you, my people. I have had many victories and humiliations along the way, but I am grateful for everything. I’ve been severely injured but not destroyed, pressured but not crushed, and persecuted but not abandoned. I identify with the unwavering and unquenchable Spirit of the Edo People. Nothing and no one can stop us, with God’s grace. I mean, I’m your kid from home; I’m the genuine Edo.
“For this reason, I firmly believe and resolutely stand before you today to declare my intention to run for Edo State governor on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform in the upcoming 2024 election,” he said.
