Edo: Shaibu postpones gubernatorial ambitions, supports APC candidate

Re-elected Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu has shelved his governorship ambitions to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in the state’s September 21 general election.

Shaibu stated this at the Afemai World Congress in Detroit, Michigan, United States on Sunday.

He accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of thwarting his bid to run for governor.

He expressed confidence that he would try again in the future, citing his young age as an advantage.

In a video clip provided by congress organizers, Shaibu endorsed Okpebholo as a better candidate than Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is backed by Obaseki.

He described Okpebholo as a “breath of fresh air” who was “uncontaminated” and praised his ability to “say less and do more.”

Shaibu also called on the diaspora community to play an active role in Nigerian politics, sharing his personal experience of being impeached and reinstated as deputy governor.

He attributed his political journey to God’s guidance and expressed hope for a better future for Edo State.

READ ALSO: Deputy Governor Edo Shaibu opens up on real reason for fallout with Obaseki

He said: “Election is coming soon and I want you to be interested. You see I have moved from PDP back to APC. I moved to PDP because of the governor (Obaseki) and I am back to APC because of the governor.

“I wanted to be governor and they said they would destroy me if I continued to harbor that ambition. They did everything but God saved me.

“I was impeached, but I know I will follow this program as lieutenant governor. I have been reappointed and my impeachment is part of the intimidation and harassment that I have experienced. We have to start looking for a way to save our country.

“I supported the APC candidate because he is a breath of fresh air and he has not been contaminated. He does not speak much English. He talks less and does more and he is the first person to break the curse in Edo Central by winning the Senate seat on the APC platform.

“The same scenario that made him a senator is happening now. It is clear that the grace of God is with him. I have played my cards, we are still young. If God says I will be governor, I will be governor. I have surrendered my ambition to God and we will make Afemai and Edo State, the land of our dreams.”

By supporting Okpebholo, Shaibu has effectively shelved his ambitions to become governor, opting instead to support a candidate he believes has a better chance of winning the election.

The move has important implications for the political landscape in Edo State as the governorship election approaches.

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