Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has openly declared his support for Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming September 21 governorship election, causing a rift between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC.
Speaking at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City during Father’s Day celebrations, Shaibu criticized Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, labeling him a “Lagos-based lawyer” and a product of “godfatherism.”
He expressed his preference for Okpebholo, one of two “homeboys” among the 16 candidates, predicting that Okpebholo would succeed Governor Obaseki on November 12.
Shaibu also acknowledged Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) candidate and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), as the other “homeboy” with the potential to advance Edo’s progress.
He emphasized that both candidates are capable of leading without deceit or propaganda.
In response, the PDP has called for Shaibu’s immediate resignation.
Rev Olu Martins, Director General of Media and Publicity for the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, urged Shaibu to step down from the PDP honorably.
Martins rejected Shaibu’s allegations against Governor Godwin Obaseki, insisting that Obaseki is neither a godfather nor a dictator.
Martins criticized Shaibu’s endorsement of Okpebholo, arguing that the PDP candidate’s lack of residence in Edo does not make him an outsider.
He suggested that Shaibu should have resigned from the PDP before supporting the APC candidate, describing Shaibu’s reasoning as weak.
Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo, Publicity Director for the Senator Monday Okpebholo Governorship Campaign Council, welcomed Shaibu’s support and dismissed the PDP’s statement as baseless.
Omo-Ojo urged the PDP to suspend Governor Obaseki and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, for allegedly using state resources to support the Labour Party.
Omo-Ojo praised Shaibu as a significant political figure in Edo, akin to Senator Okpebholo.
He advised the PDP to focus on explaining their plans for the state rather than criticizing Shaibu, highlighting the PDP’s poor performance under Obaseki.
He also called for an independent panel to investigate recent examination question leakages in the Edo Best Education Programme, claiming it reflects poorly on the state government’s competence.
The ongoing political tension underscores the deep divisions within Edo State’s political landscape as the governorship election approaches.
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