In a scathing rebuke aimed at Edo Central aspirants rallying behind Comrade Philip Shaibu for the upcoming 2024 Edo governorship race, Deacon Darlington Okpebholo Ray, a prominent member of the PDP in the diaspora and Truth Live News publisher, has expressed concern over what he views as an unnecessary and embarrassing alignment.
Okpebholo-Ray contends that the Edo Central aspirants supporting Shaibu may inadvertently be contributing to the derailment of the Edo Central governorship aspirations, a cause which Shaibu ostensibly aims to thwart. According to the Truth Live News publisher, Shaibu harbors a deep-seated antipathy towards the Esan people and is actively engaged in a campaign against the prospect of an Esan governor.
In Okpebholo-Ray’s words, “These Edo Central aspirants lining up behind Shaibu to be crying this unnecessary and embarrassing crying wolf when there’s none should know that they are aiding and helping Shaibu to actualise his dream to scuttle the Edo central governorship which has been his major reason for throwing his hat into the ring in the first place.”
Furthermore, he accused Chief Dan Orbih, a key figure in the support for Shaibu, of being part of a movement against Esan political ascendancy. He notes the irony that Chief Dan Orbih, who benefited from the political benevolence of the late Chief Tony Anenih, a revered Esan leader, is now involved in hindering the progress of Esan aspirants.
“I urge our Esan aspirants to, as a matter of principle and urgency, leave this unholy alliance with Philip Shaibu and team up with Gov Obaseki,” Ray implores. He emphasizes Governor Obaseki’s public declaration of support for power to transition to Edo Central after Edo North and South have had their respective turns.
Okpebholo-Ray concluded by advising those aligning with Shaibu to reconsider their stance, stating, “Our brothers teaming up with Philip Shaibu now should have a rethink.” The rebuke signals a call for unity within the Esan community and a shift away from what Ray perceives as a detrimental alliance with a candidate allegedly opposed to the aspirations of the Esan people.