November 22, (THEWILL) – Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has vowed to contest the upcoming governorship in 2024 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saying that he has the competence and capacity to govern the state for the benefit of everyone without discrimination.
He said that as a former president of the Nigeria Students Union, NANS, ex- member of the House of Representatives and Minority Leader in the State Assembly as well as a pro- democracy activist during the military era, he was more than equipped with the requisite skills to lead and govern.
Speaking during an interactive session with seniour journalists from Edo State in Lagos on Wednesday, Shaibu said his past legislative and activist experiences has wizened him and enabled him to put aside the running face- off between him and Governor Godwin Obaseki and focus on his ambition that is based on solving the harsh realities and indices of governance deficit in Edo State.
He said his many years of active involvement in the politics of the state and his position as deputy governor
to Governor Obaseki, has opened his eyes to the relevant governance issues at stake. This, he said, puts him heads and shoulders above other aspirants.
” Governor Adams Oshiomhole fought and eliminated godfatherism in the State. I was part of that fight. I learned a lot, so no one is going to bring back godfatherism under any guise. Governor Goodwin Obaseki is an advocate of public private partnership. I have learned from that governance model, though I think government should not fund projects involving private businesses so government can have funds to build roads, houses and other such projects.”
He said PDP in the State was united and not divided and he was sure of picking the party’s governorship ticket as a grassroots politician with or without Governor Obaseki’s support.
About the Author
Amos Esele is the Deputy Editor of THEWILL Newspaper. He has over two decades of experience on the job.
