Mr. Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, is set to officially declare his candidacy for the state governorship election next year, in a significant political event. Despite his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki’s apparent reluctance to endorse his succession, Shaibu has been aggressively participating in talks with lawmakers and the media to gather support for his gubernatorial aspirations.
One of the recent highlights of Shaibu’s outreach efforts was a meeting with journalists in Abuja over the weekend. Another meeting is scheduled to take place today (Tuesday), further underlining the deputy governor’s determination to pursue his political ambitions.
A close aide to Shaibu, who opted to remain anonymous, revealed, “If everything works according to his plans, he will officially declare his intention next week. He has already secured a campaign office along Airport Road. Most of the campaign vehicles have started arriving, and the consultations have reached an advanced stage.”
However, the political landscape in Edo State is becoming increasingly complex, as a former gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2012, Major-General Charles Arhiavbere, declares his intention to run for governorship under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Addressing party members in Benin City on Monday, Arhiavbere dismissed the concept of zoning within the APC, stating, “We hear people saying there should be zoning; you can only zone what you have. If you don’t have a daughter, you cannot give out a daughter in marriage. That is why APC must present the best, and the best is standing before you.”
Asserting his commitment to the APC, Arhiavbere emphasized his belief that Edo State should align with the federal government, declaring, “Edo State remains under the federal government because this is the heartbeat of the nation.” He framed his candidacy as a mission to bring the state under the governance of the APC.
Adding to the unfolding political dynamics, the State Youth Leader of the APC, Mr. Tony Kabaka, stressed the importance of a governor who would protect and respect the sanctity of the Benin monarch, injecting further complexity into the considerations of Edo State’s political future.
