Edo State 2024 Guber Election: “I’ll Contest Under PDP” – Deputy Governor Shaibu

Zeniat Abubakar, Abuja.

Last updated Nov 19, 2023

The Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu has expressed optimism about contesting the state’s 2024 governorship election on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The deputy governor made this known at a media parley with the Edo State Journalists’ Forum held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

“I am still consulting, and in the coming days, the outcome of my consultation will be made public.

“My first option is PDP; second option is PDP, and the third is PDP!

“PDP wants to win the election, and if it must win the election, the party must listen to the voice of the people.

“I have told them that I am a PDP member, and I am sure I will get the PDP ticket. They are mobilizing for me to get the ticket,” he said assuringly.

While fielding questions from journalists, he noted that the people of Edo State were in dire need of practical governance, saying “we cannot afford to experiment again with someone who does not understand the politics and needs of Edo State.”

According to him, experience, capacity, and knowledge are some of the factors that separate him from anyone desirous of succeeding the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki.

On Zoning

Despite the clamour for power to return to Edo Central Senatorial District after almost 16 years, Shaibu affirmed that there is no convention or agreement that speaks on zoning.

He observed that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the People’s Democratic Party was yet to give its governorship ticket to any aspirant from Edo North.

“If you check the structures of those that have been governors in Edo State, there is no where you will see the issue of zoning. We had four governors from Edo South, two from Edo Central and only one from Edo North.

“When you look at the PDP, the party has never given its governorship ticket to any candidate from Edo North.

“If I get the ticket of the PDP, I will be the first candidate of the PDP from Edo North since 1999.

“For me, competence and experience should be the watchword.

“Who is competent, more experienced, and who will hit the ground running from day one, if he becomes governor?

“Are we going to experiment with a new person again? And the person will spend the first four years learning on the job and the next four years trying to embezzle and set up businesses in the name of consolidating on his first term?” he said.

Election Campaign Promises

The deputy governor further pledged to devote himself to the interests of the people of Edo State, describing himself as a project-driven person.

“If I get the PDP ticket, the people will see my street credibility.

“I am not going into governorship to build estates. The only estate I owe my children is their education.

“Those who know me know that I am not a friend to bankers.

“I have sunk boreholes and renovated many schools with private monies as deputy governor.

“You saw the Oghieneni’s Palace that we built in my area. I am a project-driven person. I have built churches and mosques.

“I am not an advocate of keeping money in the banks. I have conscience; I am a Catholic,” he said.