Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has openly challenged Governor Godwin Obaseki by announcing his intention to run for the governorship position.
The Deputy Governor, who has been in conflict with his boss, revealed his ambition to become the next governor under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Philip, who was recently forced to leave the Deputy Governor’s Lodge, stated that he believes Edo requires a leader who can take practical action.
He suggested that Obaseki, who has been governing the state for nearly 8 years, was an inexperienced governor.
Addressing reporters in Benin City, Philip said, “With the 2024 Edo governorship election fast approaching, the state cannot afford to experiment again with someone who does not understand the politics of the state or the needs of the people.
“Edo people need practical governance and you cannot experiment again with somebody that does not understand the politics of a good state and the needs of the people.
“So, everything we have to do should be assessed. You cannot know the needs of the people when you don’t live with them. So for me, competence and experience should be the watchwords as we go into the election in 2024.
“Who is competent? Who is more experienced? Who will hit the ground running from day one?
“Are we going to experiment with a new person again? And the person will spend the first four years learning on the job and he will spend another four years trying to embezzle, set up his businesses in the name of consolidating on the gains of the first term.
“Or do we need a governor that from day one will hit the ground running?”
