Shaibu criticises as Edo PDP leaders endorse Ighodalo

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has criticised Monday’s meeting of Peoples Democratic Party officials in Edo North, where they selected Asue Ighodalo, a former Sterling Bank chairman, as their preferred PDP governorship candidate.

Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, a former deputy governor of the state, organized the meeting, which was attended by numerous party heavyweights.

The meeting was conducted at the residence of Oghiadomhe in Fuga and was attended by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, former Senator Yisa Braimoh, former House of Representatives member Johnson Abolagba, and a former House of Assembly Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto.

Otunba Olu Fashanu, Dr. Bolaji Ojebuobuo, Joe Ekpenkhio, Omo Ezomon, Uyi Maiaika, Henry Tenebe, serving and former Edo State PDP functionaries, and all LGA council chairmen were also present.

They overwhelmingly endorsed Ighodalo as the preferred candidate for the PDP ticket ahead of the September governorship election.

Ighodalo is said to have the support of Governor Godwin Obaseki, who opposes Shaibu’s bid to succeed him.

Shaibu, speaking to supporters in his country home of Jattu, Etsako West Local Government, just after the Auchi Day Annual Celebration on Tuesday, stated that the Monday meeting in Oghiadomhe was a slight on his office as Deputy Governor.

He claimed that because he was not told or invited to the meeting, the decision made was null and void and had no effect.

Shaibu said, “Information reaching me says that Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, an elder of our party, called a meeting of PDP leaders in the six local governments of Edo North in his country home, Fugar, Etsako Central local government, and pressurized them to endorse one of the aspirants for the forthcoming governorship primary election in the state.

“To me, that meeting did not hold because, by virtue of my office as Deputy Governor, I remain the leader of the PDP in Edo North and the deputy leader of the party in the state. Any meeting held in the senatorial zone without my knowledge is deemed null and void.

“I respect Chief Mike Oghiadomhe as my elder and as my predecessor in office. Any meeting held in Edo North without my knowledge or input remains null and void.”

Shaibu stated that Oghiadomhe would not have allowed such a thing to happen while serving as Deputy Governor and leader of Edo North.

“PDP is a party of structure and hierarchy, well defined in its constitution.

“I plead with all of you to remain calm and not be provoked by this action because, after the primaries, we need to come together as members of the PDP, so we will need everybody to win the main election in September.

“Chief Oghiadomhe is trying to provoke us, but we will remain calm because this project is not about Philip Shaibu; it is God’s own project,” he added.