Struggle For The Soul of Edo State: Philip Shaibu emerges PDP Candidate in a Parallel primary election

By Itohan Osahon

The Deputy Governor of Edo State who is an Aspirant in People Democratic Party Governorship Race in the State, Philip Shaibu has emerged as Candidate of the party in a Parallel primary election held at Commercial avenue , GRA, Benin City.

Philip Shaibu who was announced as the Candidate of PDP by the returning officer ,Mr. Bathelome Moses was said to have scored the highest vote of 301 out of the 381 acceditted delegates which made him the Parallel Candidate of PDP in the state.

Responding after the declaration, Philip Shaibu promises to win the general Governorship election scheduled for September as his antecedents over the years will make the election a walk over for him.

Speaking further, he said he is going to make governance practicable and ensure that all Citizens of Edo State are carried along in the scheme of things.

Earlier before the primary election was held, a group of delegates protested to the entrance of Philip Shaibu’s residence demanding for Philip to address them.

According to the delegates who alleged they were deprived of accreditation at the Marque event center in GRA threatened , that they are going back to mobilize and vote against their party if the NWC of PDP endorses the illegality.

The spokesman , Mr Festus Owu who spoke on behalf of the delegates alleged that they were denied accreditation to participate in the primary election.

According to him, they are the authentic delegates that have come from different LGA to participate in the Primary Election.

” We were surprised when we got to the venue of accreditation, we were chased away by security operatives, as we speak, even the road to Philip Shaiubu house has been barricaded by security Men”.

” We want to say this, a Party that is ready to win an election should not engage in fighting its own people, If these crowd you are seeing here mobilize their people at home and vote against the party, who will vote for whoever emerges as Candidate of the Party? We have goodwill in the State and let me sound this warning to National Working Committee,(NWC) that if you are ready to fail through this way you are you are masterminding and writing names of strangers as delegates to participate in the primary election, we will help you to fail”.

” The people that were announced as delegates are not from Edo State, infact, we demand to see Philip Shaiubu now, we want to hear from him”. He said.

Speaking further, Festus Owu threatened that PDP is gone in Edo State

” When they chased us away then, the saw how we voted massively for opposition, that is what we are going to do again, history will replicate itself again” he threatened.

The protesters however appealed to Philip Shaiubu to pass their message to the National Working Committee (NWC) that their votes should be of consequence in determining who governs the State starting from November 12, 2024.

Responding, Philip Shaibu appealed to them to be law abiding and eschew violence in registering their grievances.

He assured the deprived delegates that their votes will count in the Primaries and that should exhibit no fear as their message will be passed to the National body of the party.

He added that their massive support to his ambition to become the number one Citizen of Edo State is an indication that he will come out victorious after the Primary Election and subsequently at the general election.

Though the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s faction of the PDP is yet to announce the results of the primary election held in Samuel Ogbemudia stadium today.

Shortly after the declaration of Philip Shaibu as Candidate of PDP, there was gun battle  between Vigilantes from the State government and the security personnel of the Deputy Governor at Commercial avenue.