By Gbenga Ojikutu
Philip Shaibu, Edo State Deputy governor, has declared his intention to contest the 2024 governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The deputy governor made his declaration at the Biohop Kelly Centre, Benin City, on Monday morning.
Shaibu said asa home boy, who had feel the pains of the people, he is poised to develop the state.
He said he is unstoppable in the forthcoming election.
He said he had worked with Governor Godwin Obaseki in the last seven years to lay the foundation for the development of Edo state.
Shaibu said he was aware of the need of the greater Edo people for a more inclusive government which is “the government of the Edo people, by the Edo people, and for the Edo people”.
He said his government would be predicated on five pillars of infrastructure and economic diversification, education sport and skill development, healthcare and social welfare system, agriculture and rural development and environmental sustainability.
“I have fought the good fight for you my people, along the way, suffered humiliations and enjoyed many moments of victory but I am thankful in all things.”
“I have been pressed but not crushed, persecuted but not abandoned, badly hurt but not destroyed. I resonate with the tireless and irrepressible Spirit of the Edo People”.
“By the grace of God, nothing and no one can stop us. After all, I am original Edo son, 100 percent home boy” shaibu said.
He said he was standing before Edo people with great conviction and resolve to declare his “intention to run for the office of the governor of Edo State under the platform of the PDP in the upcoming 2024 election”
Shaibu said: “I am confident that with your support, we can take Edo State to a greater height. I have worked with governor Godwin Obaseki in the last seven years to lay the foundation for the development of Edo state.”
Shaibu said under his supervision as the Deputy Governor, the state Internally generated revenue has grown impressively with the introduction of digital and cutting-edge ideas as well returning the Bendel Insurance to the national league.
“In my time as a legislator, I delivered 49 constituency projects at the state level and 13 solid constituency projects within my short stint at the federal level”.
He said since his foray into politics three decades ago, he has lived with the people assuring that with the greater Edo people they will reignite the Edo Spirit and transform the state.
He assured that under his watch, traditional rulers and religion leaders as well as ancestral heritage would be respected.
Shaibu called on the people to support him in actualizing his ambition of becoming the next governor of the state.
The deputy governor was billed to declare his governorship bid at the Eterno Hotel but the hotel cancelled the event at the last minute, saying Governor Obaseki had a programme at the venue at same time.
Obaseki and Shaibu had fallen out over his governorship bid.
THE NATION
