By Tolúlopé Olátúnjí
In an expected political move, impeached deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has thrown his support behind the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, for the upcoming September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
Reflecting on the dynamics of the current political landscape, Shaibu said he opted to support what he called a “homeboy” who understands local issues and challenges.
Shaibu said: “I will support a homeboy. I came into politics to contest as the governor of Edo State because I need government to return to a homeboy—someone who understands our plight and what the people are feeling.
“Even the United Nations talks about the need for assessment. We don’t want outsiders. We have experimented with outsiders, and it’s not working. This time around, we want a homeboy.”
Addressing the congregation at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City during the 2024 Father’s Day celebration, where he served as an altar servant, Shaibu elaborated on his decision.
“With only two homeboys left in the major political parties—one in Labour and one in APC—I choose to support another homeboy in the APC….”, he said.
The impeached Deputy Governor clarified that his endorsement of Okpebholo aligns with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s stance that everyone has the right to support any candidate of their choice.
Shaibu remarked:“Governor Obaseki has stated that everyone is free to choose who to support in any election. He may have forgotten that he doesn’t have the right to stop anyone from supporting their chosen candidate.I am exercising my right to support who I believe is best for Edo state.”
He concluded by affirming his belief in the democratic right to freely choose political allegiances, stating, “It’s my right to decide who I want to support.”
It would be recalled that Philip Shaibu was impeached as deputy governor of Edo state by the State House of Assembly over alleged acts misconducts and ethical breaches as well as misdemeanors.
