Edo PDP: D.G Philip Shaibu wins Governorship ticket in parallel primary

From our political desk, Benin

Philip Shaibu (C) talking to media 

The deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu on Thursday, 22 February, 2024 was announced winner of the sole ticket of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in its Governorship primary, held in Benin, the State Capital.

Shaibu was announced as the candidate of the PDP by the election returning officer; Bathelomew Moses who said he scored the highest vote  of 301 in a parallel primary held at the Commercial Avenue, GRA, Benin City.

Responding thereafter, Shaibu boasted he would win the September Governorship election relying on his antecedents over the years which he asserts; will make the contest a walk over for him.

He promised to make governance practicable and ensure that all citizens of the State are carried along in the scheme of things.

Earlier before the primary election, a group of delegates protested to the entrance of the deputy governor's residence demanding that he should address them.

Festus Owu who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved delegates alleged that they were denied accreditation to participate in the primary election, at the Marque event center in GRA.

They claimed to be the authentic delegates who have come from different local government areas to participate in the Primary Election.

"We were surprised when we got to the venue of the accreditation, we were chased away by security operatives, and as we speak even the road to Philip Shaibu's house has been barricaded by security men.

"We want to say this, a Party that is ready to win an election should not engage in fighting its own people.

"If these crowd you are seeing here mobilize their people at home and vote against the party, who will vote for whoever emerges as candidate of the Party? 

"We have goodwill in the State and let me sound this warning to the National Working Committee, (NWC) that if you are ready to fail through this way; you are masterminding and writing names of strangers as delegates to participate in the primary election, we will help you to fail!

"The people that were  announced as delegates are not from Edo State, in fact, we demand to see Philip Shaibu now, we want to hear from him."

The protesters however appealed to Shaibu to pass their message to the National Working Committee (NWC) that their votes should be of relevant in determining who governs the State.