In a decisive move within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, clinched the governorship ticket after securing victory in the parallel primaries. With a resounding 301 votes, Shaibu emerged triumphant, while the faction led by Governor Godwin Obaseki had not yet commenced their voting process.
The delegates, affirming their allegiance to Shaibu, asserted themselves as the “authentic delegates” in the selection process.
During the announcement of the results, the electoral officer declared, “After tallying the votes in this primary election, Philip Shaibu has garnered 301 votes. Consequently, we declare Philip Shaibu as the duly elected candidate for the forthcoming election under the PDP banner.”
The PDP’s governorship primary witnessed a competitive field with 10 aspirants vying for the support of 563 delegates in the indirect primary system.
The primary took place at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital, where contenders such as Asue Ighodalo, a former Chairman of Sterling Bank, and Blessing Igbinedion, daughter of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, contested alongside Shaibu.
Other notable contenders included Anselm Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Martin Uhomoibhi, Hadizat Umoru, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Dr. Earl Onaiwu, and Arthur Esene.
The rift between Deputy Governor Shaibu and Governor Obaseki has been well-documented, notably highlighted by Shaibu’s assertion in December 2023 that his office received zero allocation from the state government for six months.
Shaibu revealed this during a press briefing at the inauguration of the secretariat of the Correspondents Chapel of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Benin City.
He further disclosed that he had been funding his office’s operations from personal funds and contributions from associates.
This assertion is speculated to be linked to the ongoing political discord between Obaseki and Shaibu, which escalated when Shaibu relocated his office outside the State Government House in September.
The new location, formerly the state Public Procurement Office, had been inaugurated by former Governor Sen. Adams Oshiomhole in 2014.
Shaibu’s ambitions for the governorship became apparent in November, as evidenced by a letter issued by the Philip Shaibu Campaign Organisation, dated November 23 and signed by the deputy governor himself. This bold move was seen as a direct challenge to Governor Obaseki, who has expressed opposition to Shaibu’s gubernatorial aspirations.