I’m Certain Obaseki Will Back Me – Shaibu

Deputy Governor of Edo State and gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2024 gubernatorial election in the state, Philip Shaibu, has communicated certainty that the state Lead Representative, Godwin Obaseki, will back him in his ambition of becoming the Lead Representative of the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed September 21, 2024, as the election date.

Shaibu had in November 2023 said no one can prevent him from getting the gubernatorial ticket of the party.

The deputy governor said having been in politics for three decades and working with Obaseki in the last seven years to develop the state, he was in the best position to succeed his principal.

He said, “I can assure you that I will secure the ticket and my name and the party will be on the ballot. Nothing will happen because my name will be there.

“My name will be sent to INEC and I will be the candidate for the party in the election because I don’t do things without checking. I have gone round and consulted and I have been assured.”

Sources report that Shaibu declared his interest in contesting the 2024 gubernatorial election in November.

While speaking on a television show on Thursday, Shaibu communicated confidence in obtaining Obaseki’s backing.

“I can bet you that Mr Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State, my boss and senior brother will support me.

“He has said it at the secretariat where we had our stakeholders meeting that whoever wins, he will support and whoever that will win is nobody but Philip Shaibu,” he said.

When asked as to whether Asue Ighodalo, another aspirant for the gubernatorial ticket got Shaibu’s backing, Shaibu simply responded, “He (Obaseki) has denied backing Asue even when we know he is backing him. But that is not an issue for me. I am a homeboy and I understand the politics of Edo state.

“As somebody who is experienced, I have an edge over him. He is coming with private sector experience. I am coming with both private sector and public sector experience.”

During his formal declaration, Shaibu had said, “Nobody can stop my ambition.”

The deputy governor promised to deliver practical governance if elected governor of the state in 2024.

Shaibu, who vowed to convey practical governance said, “They (Edo people) have asked me to go and run and they said I am the one they see not just as a street boy but original own boy that can live there.

“I can assure you that by the grace of God, we will deliver practical governance.”