Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has taken a bold step by storming the national headquarters of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, demanding the party's certificate of return for the governorship election. This move comes after a parallel PDP governorship candidate result declared Shaibu as the winner, while Asue Ighodalo emerged victorious in the main election.
Despite the PDP having already presented a certificate of return to Asue, Shaibu arrived at the party's secretariat on Wednesday to insist that he won the primary election and should be formally recognized as the authentic candidate. He expressed confidence in the legitimacy of his victory, emphasizing the role of the authentic delegates who elected him.
"Today is the day set aside for the collection of the certificate of return for the winner of the primary. I understand someone came yesterday and was given, well, the court will decide…" Shaibu stated, alluding to potential legal actions surrounding the primary election.
Before this recent action, the Edo State deputy governor consistently maintained that he was the genuine flagbearer of the party. In a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Shaibu argued, "I was elected by the authentic delegates. What is key is who are those that elected the governor’s preferred candidate Asue, and who are those that elected Philip Shaibu? I think in the coming days we will know who among them is authentic."
Shaibu further asserted that Asue lacks an understanding of the grassroots, positioning himself as the preferred candidate of the people. He warned the PDP against challenging his candidacy, stating that it would jeopardize the party's chances in Edo State.
"The option is for the PDP not to go and argue against my candidacy. If they do that, PDP will lose Edo State. Edo people do not want Asue Ighodalo to be the governor of Edo State because he is not a homeboy they know," Shaibu declared.
As the deputy governor takes on the PDP leadership in his quest for recognition, the political landscape in Edo State remains in a state of uncertainty, with potential legal battles looming and the party's unity at stake.
