Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has openly supported Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the upcoming governorship election on September 21.
Shaibu announced his support during an interview at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City, where he was attending a Father’s Day celebration. He criticized the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, calling him a “Lagos-based lawyer” and a “product of godfatherism.” Shaibu declared his belief that Okpebholo, whom he described as a “homeboy,” would succeed the current governor, Godwin Obaseki, on November 12.
Shaibu also mentioned Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, as another “homeboy” with the potential to lead Edo State forward. He praised both Okpebholo and Akpata for their local roots and leadership qualities.
In response to Shaibu’s endorsement of the APC candidate, the PDP demanded his immediate resignation from the party. Rev. Olu Martins, Director General of Media and Publicity for the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, stated that Shaibu should step down honorably. Martins refuted Shaibu’s accusations against Obaseki, insisting the governor is not a dictator or a godfather. He criticized Shaibu’s focus on local ties rather than leadership qualities, saying, “The honorable thing he should have done is to resign from the PDP like others and support the APC candidate. His argument is that of weak people.”
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The APC welcomed Shaibu’s support, with Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo, Publicity Director for the Okpebholo Governorship Campaign Council, calling the PDP’s reaction “irritating and baseless.” Omo-Ojo suggested that the PDP should suspend Obaseki and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, for allegedly using state resources to support the Labour Party.
Omo-Ojo lauded Shaibu as a “true definition of homeboy and a political giant in the state,” similar to Okpebholo. He criticized the PDP’s track record, arguing that the party has failed to bring significant development to Edo State. Omo-Ojo urged the PDP to focus on explaining what new contributions Ighodalo and his running mate could offer after many years in public service without notable progress.
He also accused Obaseki and Ogie of orchestrating a plan to produce stooges by funding the Labour Party’s primary elections. Omo-Ojo called for an independent investigation into the repeated exam question leakages linked to the Edo Best Education Programme since 2020, blaming the state government for the issues.
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