The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has boasted he will defeat the anointed candidate of his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki in the primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Shaibu, who stated this on Monday, during his official declaration to run for the office of governor of Edo State in 2024, revealed that since he declared interest to succeed his boss, he had been intimidated.
SaharaReporters reported on Monday, that Shaibu, who was billed to host his declaration at the Eterno Hotel, Aiguobasimwin Crescent, off Ikpokpan Road, Government Reservation Area (GRA), had his booking cancelled, forcing him to relocate to Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin for the event.
The deputy governor, who spoke on a live television programme, said he was unperturbed by his ordeals, adding that as the candidate to be, he would not be distracted.
He said: “I’m sure of getting support from Edo South, Central and my own senatorial district, which is Edo North.
“This because I’m completely home boy and detribalised. I have support base from across the three senatorial districts because I am a grassroots person and I relate with people seamlessly.
“I use the word that I am a street boy as I’m always with the people. So, I’m confident and sure of winning the race. With how they have been going after me, I have therefore, seen that I am the candidate to beat. This is why they are blocking me from declaring.
“How come I am the only one that is being asked not to contest? I am the only one that my office was relocated because I wanted to declare my intention. I am the only one that, close to five months now, no allocation to my office just because I declared.
“When I said I was pressed, but not distressed, I understand the kind of intimidation and oppression I have gone through.
“Notwithstanding, the truth is that all these point to the fact that I am the candidate to beat and I will not want to reveal my plans.
“I have my strategies and all I’ve done is that I refused to be distracted. I can bet you that even the Governor will support me when the time comes.”
Shaibu said he would defeat Obaseki’s anointed candidate. His words: “Definitely, I’ll defeat the so-called candidate of the governor, not because I have the power, but because Edo people want their own and I am their own. Edo people do not want importation; they want their own.
“The problem I have with the governor is that he has allowed certain individuals that have interest in governance to come between us. He is managing in his own style and the way he feels he can manage it. I am also managing it the way I feel I can manage it.
“They are beating me and I am crying and I am buying handkerchiefs to clear the tears.
“People say we are fighting, but I’m not fighting. I’m being beaten.
“They’re doing everything to stop me, but they can’t. The truth is that Edo people have made up their mind.
“Edo people hate intimidation. Ah, the kind of intimidation and harassment I have received within this period is only God that has actually seen me through. Irrespective of the intimidation, I have resolved not to fight. If PDP wants to win the race, the party needs a unifier, who I am.”
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