Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, will publicly proclaim his desire to run for governor of the state on Monday.
The deputy governor’s strategy was detailed in a letter signed by the deputy governor and distributed by the Philip Shaibu Campaign Organisation on November 23.
The letter, headlined ‘Special Invitation,’ stated, “On behalf of Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu Campaign Organisation, I invite you to honour me with your esteemed presence as I offer myself to serve as the Chief Servant (Governor) of Edo State.”
According to the letter, the event will take place on Monday, November 27 at 8 a.m. at the Eterno Hotels.
Shaibu’s desire has put him at odds with his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is said to be opposed to his deputy succeeding him.
At the height of the conflict, Shaibu petitioned an Abuja High Court to prevent Obaseki and the Edo State House of Assembly from impeaching him.
After the involvement of well-meaning individuals, he later withdrew the complaint.
READ ALSO: PDP rolls out timetable for Edo governorship election
Shaibu, on the other hand, remains isolated and maintains an office outside the Government House in the GRA in Benin, the state capital.
Shaibu has been engaging with legislators and the media about his plans.
On Monday, a close aide to Shaibu stated, “If everything goes according to his (Shaibu’s) plans, he will officially declare his intention next week.”
“He has already secured a campaign office along Airport Road, some of the campaign vehicles have started arriving and the consultations have reached an advanced stage.”
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Shaibu said he wanted to succeed Obaseki because “Edo people are in dire need of practical governance and we cannot afford to experiment again with someone who does not understand the politics and needs of Edo State.”
He added, “Everywhere, including the international scene, people are clamouring that governments should not be pushing projects that are not needed. So, we need to do needs assessment. You cannot know the needs of the people when you don’t live with them.
“For me, competence and experience should be the watchword. Who is competent, more experienced and who will hit the ground running from day one if he becomes governor?
“Are we going to experiment with a new person again and the person will spend the first four years learning on the job and the next four years trying to embezzle and set up businesses in the name of consolidating on his first term?”