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  • Shaibu demands certificate of return

    Shaibu demands certificate of return

    • Alleges manipulations in governorship primary
    • Ighodalo vows to surpass Obaseki’s achievements

    Barely 24 hours after members of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) National Working Committee (NWC) presented certificate of return to Dr. Asue Ighodalo, with optimism about winning the coming Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Phillip Shaibu, has demanded his own certificate of return.

    Shaibu, who stormed PDP national secretariat in Abuja yesterday, alleged that he had the original copy of an official report that highlighted irregularities and manipulations used to rob him of the party’s governorship ticket during the primary election.

    Addressing reporters and PDP secretariat workers, he noted that the party’s acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum and other members of the PDP national executive council were away on a date officially scheduled for the presentation of certificate of return to the winner of the primaries due to obvious reasons.

    Read Also: Edo 2024: Shaibu alleges fresh plot to impeach him

    Shaibu said: “Today is February 28. According to the PDP guidelines approved by the NWC on the Edo 2024 governorship primary, today is the day set aside in the electoral guidelines to be the day  certificate of return will be issued; so, it is not surprising that I am here today.

    “I’m here to receive my certificate of return because I won the Edo PDP primary. Authentic delegates voted for me.”

    Ighodalo yesterday said he would surpass the achievements of Governor Godwin Obaseki, who would complete his second term on November 12.

    He said he had resolved to transform Edo State in the area of development, if voted into power.

    Ighodalo, a Lagos-based lawyer, spoke while addressing PDP members and supporters, who were at the Benin Airport to welcome him from Abuja, after collecting his certificate of return from the national leadership of the party.

    He thanked Edo people who came out in large number to welcome him, promising he would never disappoint them.

  • Fall out of PDP primary: Shaibu hints on fresh plot to impeach him

    Fall out of PDP primary: Shaibu hints on fresh plot to impeach him

    The deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu, has raised the alarm over a fresh plot to impeach him following his emergence as the factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 governorship election. 

    Shaibu, who has been having a running battle with his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, said the impeachment move was revealed to him by his team.

    He disclosed this during a media parley with journalists from Edo state on Saturday, February 24, in Abuja.

    Shaibu vowed to carry on with his preparations even if doing so would cause his impeachment by the state House of Assembly.

    The returning officer in the PDP governorship primary and Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, On Thursday, announced Asue Ighodalo as the winner of the delegate election, having polled a total of 577 votes.

    However, in the parallel primaries that took place at the Benin residence of the Deputy Governor, the returning officer, Bartholomew Moses, declared Shaibu the winner, saying he won “with over 300 votes.”

    But Shaibu said he was the authentic candidate, while describing the primary that produced Ighodalo, who is backed by Governor Obaseki, as nothing short of a social party attended by “people who wore aso ebi from all over the place.”

    Shaibu, who defected to the PDP alongside Obaseki, in 2020 from the All Progressives Congress, said his office has been subjected to all manner of degrading treatment by the governor, adding that he is the man to win the election for the PDP.

    He said: “Even as we speak, my team has been calling me that, ‘Look at what these people are doing. They are saying they are going to impeach you, that you have gotten too far.’ They are threatening to impeach me.

    “And I said, well, if fighting for my rights and all of us collectively fighting for my rights is in the constitution that triggers impeachment, so be it; because fighting for my rights and saying I must contest the election is my constitutional rights and cannot be taken by anybody.

    “So if constitutional right is why they will now trigger impeachment, the courts are there, they will interpret it.”

    Shaibu, who described Ighodalo as “my far elder brother,” however, urged the PDP to know that the lawyer-turned-politician does not have what it takes to win the poll.

    “If the party wants to win the election, they will not go for Ighodalo. If the party wants to win the election, the people have spoken, and they have spoken very loud and clearly.

    “If people can stand bullets to say this is who we want, then the party should follow that direction,” he added.

    The deputy governor said that he has appointed former APC Deputy Chairman, Edo State Chapter, Pastor Kenneth Asekomhe, to chair a committee to reach out to Ighodalo’s camp to forge a common front for the PDP in the election.

    “He is the chairman of the committee that I have set up to reach out to the Ighodalo group for us to have a discussion to see how we will go because it is only him that is not on board,” he said.

    Shaibu also said he is working with the National Vice Chairman (South-South), Mr Dan Orbih.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Shaibu, Ighodalo emerge PDP Gov candidates at Edo parallel primaries

    “The leader of the legacy coalition is Dan Orbih. We are working together and that is why it is important that Ighodalo join the legacy coalition because the coalition is those that were in APC that moved to PDP to meet those that were already in PDP.

    “Those that were in PDP that we met are the legacy. The coalition now is that we joined the old PDP moving together because we don’t want to hear new and old PDP and that is why we call it a legacy coalition,” Shaibu stated.

    On whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the primary election that produced him, Shaibu spoke affirmatively without going into details.

    “INEC and the party were there but I will not disclose a lot. If we don’t go to court, fine. But if we do go to court, all this information will be unveiled,” he added.

  • PDP will lose Edo if I am not accepted as candidate – Shaibu

    PDP will lose Edo if I am not accepted as candidate – Shaibu

    The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasizing that rejecting him as its candidate in the State governorship election would have dire consequences for the party in the state.

    The Nation had reported that Asue Ighodalo won the PDP primary at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Thursday.

    Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Shuaibu maintained that he is the authentic candidate of the party for the September 21 election, saying that Edo people do not want Ighodalo whom he said is not homeboy.

    “The option is for the PDP not to go and argue against my candidacy, if they do that PDP will lose Edo State. Edo people do not want Asue Ighodalo to be the governor of Edo State because he is not a homeboy they know.

    Read Also: The unending Obaseki, Shaibu feud 

    “They are looking for someone that they know, somebody they can feel, somebody they can touch. PDP has a date with history, delegates have spoken that they want Shuaibu and I can bet you that the other eight aspirants will support Shuaibu if they party back him.

    “If the party decides to join us in court to argue for Ighodalo then PDP then winning Edo State for PDP will be shaky because Asue will not be accepted by the people,” Shaibu said.

    The deputy governor faulted the primary that produced Ighodalo, saying that it was organised by the state party executive instead of the national executive of the party.

    He claimed that members of the state executive and the governor are supporters of Ighodalo and therefore were not going to conduct an unbiased election.

    Shaibu insisted that he was elected by the authentic delegates of the party in the state.

    “I was elected by the authentic delegates, what is key is who are those that elected the governor’s preferred candidate Asue and who are those that elected Philip Shaibu? I think in the coming days we will know who among them are authentic,” he said.

  • UPDATED: Shaibu emerges as factional PDP guber candidate for Edo poll

    UPDATED: Shaibu emerges as factional PDP guber candidate for Edo poll

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has been announced as the parallel governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his private residence near Government House in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin.

    Shaibu secured the support of 301 out of the 563 PDP delegates in Edo.

    Following this declaration, armed thugs were swiftly mobilized to his residence, firing shots indiscriminately.

    Shaibu and his supporters managed to evade harm, fleeing the scene as the assailants targeted their vehicles.

    Meanwhile, loyalists of Governor Godwin Obaseki were still in the process of casting their votes at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, for his favoured candidate, Asue Ighodalo, a Lagos-based lawyer.

    The consensus aspirant of Chief Dan Orbih-led Legacy Coalition, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, a former member of the House of Representatives withdrew from what he described as skewed race.

    The mobile lines of Shaibu’s chief press secretary, Ebomhiana Musa, were not available, while the text and WhatsApp messages sent to the lines had not been replied to at press time.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Shaibu emerges as factional PDP guber candidate for Edo poll

    In a related development, numerous leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, along with reporters, gathered at Lushville Hotel and Suites on Gapiona Avenue, GRA, Benin since 7 a.m.

    They await the resumption of the collation of results from last Saturday’s governorship direct primary election.

    During this period, APC leaders were briefly engaged in closed-door discussions by the state’s Acting Chairman of the party, Jarret Tenebe, who refrained from providing updates to the reporters.

  • Obaseki accuses Shaibu of mischief over chapel renovation

    Obaseki accuses Shaibu of mischief over chapel renovation

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has accused his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, of mischief, over the renovation of the Interdenominational Government House Chapel in Benin.

    The governor yesterday in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Religious Matters, Rev. Osagie Ehrunmwunse, who is also the Pastor-in-Charge of Edo State Government House Chapel, said it was unfortunate that Shaibu continued to stir controversy over the renovation of the chapel.

    Obaseki alleged that his deputy was trying to use things Nigerians and Edo people see and hold as sacred, such as religion, to whip up political sentiments.

    He said: “In the last couple of days, we have seen posts on social media and other media outfits suggesting that the state government has shut down the chapel, and prevented people from using it as a place of worship.

    Read Also: Obaseki accuses Shaibu of mischief over Govt House chapel.

    “Following closely from this narrative, our dear brother, the deputy governor, held an outdoor mass with some Catholic faithful, clearly showing that he is the mastermind behind the persons circulating the video and the accompanying false commentary, as his actions seek to curiously authenticate their false claims.”

    Shaibu’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa, was contacted for reaction, but he refused to respond.

    “It is unfortunate that the deputy governor has embarked on this lowly adventure, attempting to stoke religious animosity to embarrass the government, in which he serves.

    “We want to bring the attention of the public and other relevant stakeholders to the fact that the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, was present at the 57th Exco meeting held on November 1, 2023, when approval was given for the renovation and remodelling of the Government House Interdenominational Chapel. He served as vice chairman of the council at that meeting. The project is being handled by Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency.”

    Obaseki urged Shaibu to deploy the efforts being used for mischief in his political (governorship) aspiration, and not use sacred matters as materials for his campaign.

  • Suspected hoodlums attack Shaibu’s campaign vehicle  

    Suspected hoodlums attack Shaibu’s campaign vehicle  

    Suspected hoodlums yesterday in Ekpoma attacked a Sienna vehicle belonging to Philip Shaibu Governorship Campaign Organisation, which was driven by the Coordinator of the organisation in Esan West Local Government, Edo Central Senatorial District, Mr. Otoide Abas. 

    Shaibu is a governorship aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but he is not being supported by Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is backing a Lagos-based lawyer, Asue Ighodalo, an indigene of Ewohimi in Esan Southeast Local Government, Edo Central Senatorial District.

    This, according to Obaseki, is to ensure equity, justice and fairness.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Hoodlums attack Shaibu’s campaign vehicle in Edo

    It was gathered that Abas had just finished a meeting with PDP’s ward 10 (Illeh) faithful, when the attack occurred.

    The meeting began at 5pm and was concluded an hour later, after which the coordinator left Illeh for Ekpoma, to meet other supporters. 

    A source said: “Upon completing his engagements in Ekpoma, Abas decided to make a stop at the local market square in Ekpoma to buy beef barbecue (suya). It was during this time that he noticed a white Hummer bus, labelled ‘Ameosa Motors’, parked nearby. 

    “Suddenly, hoodlums emerged from the bus, shot into the air to create fear and panic among the crowd. The same suspected hoodlums had earlier visited Illeh after the meeting, where they vandalised the chairs and canopies used for the gathering.

    Shaibu’s associate urged his supporters across the 18 local governments to remain calm, shun violence, continue to embrace peace and be law-abiding.

  • JUST IN: Hoodlums attack Shaibu’s campaign vehicle in Edo

    JUST IN: Hoodlums attack Shaibu’s campaign vehicle in Edo

    A Sienna vehicle belonging to Philip Shaibu Governorship Campaign Organisation was attacked on Monday, January 15,:in Ekpoma, the administrative headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area in Edo Central Senatorial District. 

    The vehicle was driven by the coordinator of the organisation in the local government, Otoide Abas. 

    Shaibu is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but lacks support from Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is backing a Lagos-based lawyer, Asue Ighodalo.

    Ighodalo is an indigene of Ewohimi in Esan Southeast Local Government Area in Esanland, Edo Central senatorial district.

    Obaseki had said that his choice of Ighodalo is to ensure equity, justice and fairness.

    The meeting commenced at 5 p.m., and was rounded off an hour later, after which the coordinator left Illeh for Ekpoma, to meet with other supporters. 

    A source said: “Upon completing his engagements in Ekpoma, Abas decided to make a quick stop at the local market square in Ekpoma to purchase some beef barbecue (suya). It was during this time that he noticed a white Hummer bus, labeled ‘Ameosa Motors,’ parked nearby. 

    “Suddenly, manyhoodlums emerged from the bus, shot sporadically to create fear and panic among the crowd. The same vehicle and occupants earlier visited Illeh after the meeting, where they vandalised the chairs and canopies used for the gathering.

    “The coordinator and other occupants of the campaign vehicle scrambled to safety, while the hoodlums took their time to thoroughly destroy the vehicle, while firing multiple shots at it. 

    “The bus used by the assailants was the same vehicle that transported thugs, who accompanied a PDP’s governorship aspirant to Uchi Day celebration in Auchi, Edo North senatorial district last week. Abas is still at Ekpoma police station, writing his statement, with the vehicle being held as evidence.”

    Read Also: Shaibu: I’m deeply hurt Obaseki is supporting Ighodalo instead of me

    Shaibu has faced numerous challenges hindering his campaign, including the vandalism of his billboards in Edo by state-sponsored thugs. 

    Edo deputy governor’s ally, who spoke in confidence, said: “In light of these distressing events, the security agencies in Edo State must heed the call and compel Godwin Obaseki’s administration to reign in their agents. 

    “The attacks not only undermine the democratic process, but also betray the peaceful people of Edo State, who have chosen to participate in a democratic election to liberate their state from conniving capitalists, who are masquerading as statesmen. 

    “The safety and security of all participants in the election must be ensured, and those responsible for these attacks must face the full force of the law.”

    Shaibu’s associate urged the teeming supporters of Edo deputy governor across the 18 LGAs of the state to remain calm, shun violence, and continue to embrace peace and be law-abiding.

    CAPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH:

    The vandalised campaign vehicle of Philip Shaibu Governorship Campaign Organisation.

  • I was persuaded to be Obaseki’s deputy – Shaibu

    I was persuaded to be Obaseki’s deputy – Shaibu

    The deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu has said he was persuaded to be the running mate to his principal Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    The deputy governor who spoke during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme on Wednesday, January 10, also stated that he felt betrayed by Obaseki, for not backing his candidature in the upcoming 2024 governorship election.

    Shaibu, who fell out with the governor following his run for the forthcoming 2024 governorship election, said he was drafted in to add political value to Obaseki, who then contested as governor.

    According to him, it took almost one month to persuade him to accept the position of deputy governor.

    “Actually, I was persuaded and there was no protest. I didn’t want to be a deputy governor. I was very comfortable in the House of Representatives. It took almost one month to get me to accept to be the deputy governor of Edo State.

    Read Also: Shaibu: it’s my turn to be governor

    “I accepted to add value to the ticket of Obaseki because Obaseki was not known and he was not one of the politicians. They needed a young, vibrant politician who had won the election before and who could add political value to the ticket.

    “I feel betrayed by the governor. I feel much betrayed. When we go to church, there are certain biblical verses that are becoming to make meaning to me. There is this particular verse that has been going through my mind: ‘The heart of man is desperately wicked.’ When I see what the governor is doing, the verse now makes meaning to me.

    “I added value in terms of my political structure, my finances. All the vehicles that were used to campaign in 2016 are mine.

    “I lost about 20% of my political capital in Edo North to support Godwin Obaseki, and in supporting him even as deputy governor.

    “I supported the second term bid of the governor with my finances. Including how we got the ticket of the PDP, I contributed financially, both in naira and in dollars. If I say betrayal, it’s an understatement. I feel very hurt and betrayed.”

  • Shaibu: it’s my turn to be governor

    Shaibu: it’s my turn to be governor

    • Deputy governor apologises to Oshiomhole

    Edo State Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu has declared that it is his turn to be Edo governor from November 12, 2024, thereby succeeding his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, who opts for a Lagos-based lawyer, Asue Ighodalo, who hails from Esanland in Edo Central Senatorial District.

    Shaibu, from Edo North Senatorial District, also said his ambition to succeed Obaseki on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was borne out of divine conviction to serve the state and take governance back to the people.

    Read Also: Osun APC blasts Aregbesola, says ex-gov dishonoured agreement by Tinubu, Akande

    He expressed remorse over his choice of words against a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, an ex-governor of the state, in the past, insisting that the representative of Edo North Senatorial District remained his father, despite their political differences.

    He spoke yesterday on a private television station.

    Shaibu, who shared his thoughts on a wide range of issues, including his political ambition, conflict between him and Obaseki, governance and security, among other concerns, said his ambition to succeed his boss was driven by a divine cause to take Edo State to the next level.

  • Shaibu: there’s tension between Obaseki and I

    Shaibu: there’s tension between Obaseki and I

    • ’For six months no allocation to my office’

    Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu has said there is tension between him and Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    He said for six months, there had been no allocation to his office.

    Shaibu spoke yesterday in Benin as a special guest of honour at the inauguration of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council.

    He said: “The environment is actually conducive and fine. I want to identify with you and to say, you know I am your member, I am a member and I will always do everything and anything for the growth of journalism and journalists anywhere I am.

    “I am your ambassador anywhere I am. This is not because of politics, but because of what you have done to save my life, in the course of doing your work.

    “I wouldn’t have been deputy governor today, if I am not alive. But there was a journalist that investigated, wrote a report and saved my life in the hands of the military.

    “So, you can see why anytime you invite me, even if it is difficult, I must show up. Because this is the only way I can appreciate you and show that what you are doing, you should keep it up. I encourage you.

    “I will take care of the one year rent you have paid. I will return it to you. I am sure you contributed money to pay for the one year rent. I will return the money to you, so that it will be in your purse for other things you will like to do. I would have done more, but you know there is tension between the governor and I. For six months, no allocation to my office.”

    Read Also: CAF Award 2023: Shaibu salutes Osimhen, Oshoala for bringing honours to Nigeria

    Shaibu said he was determined to make sure that good governance was seen, felt and touched in Edo, and to strengthen institutions.

    He said: “I came into politics because I felt we should have an egalitarian society. I came into politics to make institutions strong; because this is the only way you can have the society of our dream.”

    The Chairperson of the chapel, Mrs. Nefishetu Yakubu, described it as a proud child of Edo State Council of NUJ under the leadership of Comrade Festus Alenkhe.

    She said the congress’ decision to move from the Press Centre of Edo NUJ on Sir Gabriel Igbinedion Road, Government Reservation Road (GRA), Benin, was necessitated by the need for a more spacious and serene environment.