Edo 2024: Shaibu Bites the Bullet, to Declare Guber Ambition Next Week

•Airhievbere: No zoning of governorship in Edo APC, declares own ambition

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

In a rare challenge, the Edo State Deputy Governor Mr. Philip Shaibu would by next week officially declare his intention to contest for the state governorship election next year.

Against the explicit interest of Governor Godwin Obaseki, his principal, who is unwilling to hand over the baton to Shaibu, the deputy governor has been consulting and meeting with politicians and the media on his governorship aspiration.

The latest being his meeting with journalists in Abuja over the weekend and another one schedule to hold today (Tuesday)

According to a close aide to Shaibu who did not want his name mentioned, “If everything works according to his 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.”

Meanwhile, a former gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2012, Major-General Charles Arhiavbere has declared the absence of zoning in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Arhiavbere who is now a chieftain of APC stated this on Monday in Benin City, capital of the state, while declaring his intention to run for governorship.

In a meeting with members of the Oredo Ward 1 at his residence in Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Benin City, he said, “I have always insisted that Edo State remains under the federal government because this is the heartbeat of the nation so how can the heartbeat be in another party and then you still say it is the heartbeat?

“We must trust the government at the federal level and we must key-in, that is why we are restating that bringing this state to the APC government is a task that must be done and that is one of the reasons I have decided to throw my cap into the ring and to make sure that we rescue this state.

 “We hear people saying there should be zoning, you can only zone what you have, if you don’t have a daughter, you cannot give out a daughter into marriage. That is why APC must present the best and the best is standing before you.”

Airhievbere who said he has been supporting candidates of the APC since 2016, added “that is why when I decided to come out, I told Edo people that it is the turn of GC (General Charles).”

Speaking, the State Youth Leader of the APC, Mr. Tony Kabaka said the state needs a governor that would protect and respect the sanctity of the Benin monarch.