The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned former deputy governor Philip Shaibu for his remarks about the party’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Shaibu recently described Ighodalo as an outsider, sparking controversy within the party.
The PDP criticized Shaibu’s stance, calling it contradictory for him to remain a PDP member while undermining its candidate. They urged him to resign if he cannot support the party’s choice.
Shaibu, a current PDP member, who previously contested for the PDP governorship ticket but lost to Ighodalo, announced his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in the upcoming September 21 governorship election.
Shaibu justified his decision by claiming that Okpebholo, unlike Ighodalo, is a “homeboy” who understands the state’s challenges.
He argued that Ighodalo is an outsider and a product of godfatherism, which he believes the state should move away from.
“We don’t want an outsider. We have experimented with an outsider and it is not working, so this time, we want a homeboy. The man they are parading in the PDP is an outsider and we have also agreed that no more godfatherism in Edo,” Shaibu stated.
In response, Rev. Olu Martin, Deputy Director General of the media arm of the Edo PDP Governorship Campaign Council, dismissed Shaibu’s comments as unfounded. Martin argued that Ighodalo’s lack of upbringing in Edo does not make him a stranger.
He criticized Shaibu for not highlighting the capabilities and leadership qualities of his preferred candidate.
“Because the candidate didn’t grow up in Edo, doesn’t make him a stranger in his own state. I thought Shaibu would tell us that the candidate he wants to support has the capacity, intelligence, knack for excellence, and smartness, which are the hallmarks of a great leader,” Martin said.
Martin further accused Shaibu of being inconsistent by staying in the PDP while working against its candidate. He suggested that Shaibu should have resigned from the PDP to support the APC candidate, labeling his arguments as weak.
“The honourable thing he should have done is to resign from the PDP like others and support the APC candidate. His argument is that of weak people,” he added.