Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that rejecting him as its candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election could have severe repercussions for the party in the state.
This warning follows the recent PDP primary at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, where Asue Ighodalo emerged as the party’s candidate.
Notably, Philip Shaibu and his newly formed faction secured victory in a parallel election at a different venue on the same day.
During an interview on Channels Television, Shaibu asserted his legitimacy as the authentic PDP candidate for the September 21 election.
He emphasised that the people of Edo State do not favor Ighodalo, citing the latter’s lack of local connection. According to Shaibu, Edo residents seek a candidate they are familiar with – someone they can relate to on a personal level.
Shaibu issued a stark warning to the PDP, stating, “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: Philip Shaibu Clinches Victory in Edo PDP Parallel Governorship Primary Election
“They are looking for someone they know, somebody they can feel, 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 added.
