Shaibu’s commitment to tenaciously shines through his articulated vision for Edo state received another overwhelming boost in Abuja as his staunch supporters travelled over 250km to show their solidarity while submitting his Governorship nomination form to the National Working Committee at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja today, 25th January 2024.
Shaibu promises which encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from the development of crucial infrastructure, such as; railways and overhead bridges to the revitalization of agriculture sector, improvement in health management, enhancement of security, fostering economic stability and growth, bolstering agriculture, promoting tourism, building strong institutions, and improvement in education were well articulated.
Speaking shortly to press men after the submission of Edo State PDP governorship nomination form the Edo State Deputy Governor said; The state was to get hijacked and we say no. This election is another challenge and why it’s another challenge is that this election in Edo state is a ploy to take the government away from the people and hand it over to businessmen and we say no because Edo state cannot return to Egypt, it will continually move forward and the only way is when power resides with the people, not with businessmen or business colleagues, no — power to the people.”
“I want to establish this today before the leaders of the party that many of us, especially me, I have been harassed, gone through a lot of intimidation, I have gone through a lot of intimidation but unfortunately, that’s the cross God has placed for me to carry because all my life, it has been people intimidating me, but in all the intimidation, I have always come out successful.”
“Honourable Tijani is here, he handed over to me as NANS president at the Bauchi convention in 2000 and we have never in the history of NANS had that election because it took 15. All government forces were against me, intimidated us with many things thinking that the mandate of the people wouldn’t come to me. But people stood for me.”
“For this same election, they have bought every one of the elders, except for the elders who have youths in their mind, this is another challenge. By the grace of God, the support we have is organic, they are not procured and I’m not an aspirant who’s being pushed, I’m not an aspirant who doesn’t know his people — the people know me, touch me and feel me.
I’m experienced and understand what our state needs in infrastructure, education, creativity, science and technology. I was a two-term House of Assembly member and not a passive one, I was twice a majority leader, chairman Rules and Business Committee, Government House and since I became a deputy governor, everything the governor has given as an assignment, I have always delivered excellently well — Sports, Immunization, Revenue Generation — in digital form.
“Not only have I delivered so well in my assigned responsibilities as the Deputy Governor, I was prudent enough to return an overcast budget approval of N4.5billion for stadium renovation with increased expansion of the stadium capacity with a well internal and external audited records of all my transactions.”
” I can assure you that with Philip Shaibu, the PDP in Edo State will be more united, stronger and better. I will be a governor for all Edo irrespective of where you’re from.”
” A lot of political parties are waiting for PDP to nominate Philip Shaibu whom they’re referring to as their Home Boy to collapse their structure and join forces with PDP, ” Shaibu added.
In response, the PDP Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Hon Pascal Adigwe who steps forward to address the deputy governor and the multitude of supporters, urged them to remain focused, courageous, and above all, to prioritize the interests of the party above individual interest.
Adigwe emphasizes the significance of unity within the PDP ranks.
According to him, “We have to apply some caution, patience and decorum in fighting for this power because it’s like a flowing river that leads in many directions. Our party is happy to receive you all. Edo State is very important to our dear party.”
“Your Excellency, you have done well, we have your records, we know you as we know others and it’s our hope and belief that you will run this race very well.”
“Let’s maintain peace going into this primary and ultimately the election. Let us consider, what are the wishes of the people we want to govern, and how they want to be governed we can now craft our aspirations and our ambition according to what they want.”
“Extra effort, struggle, unity of purpose, and extra commitment to the party could not be overemphasized, so we plead that you all hold our party well.”
“Shaibu is not new to contest in the election, this is not the first time we are encountering him so, he knows what to do and he also knows that in the elections he contested in the past, he has always won, meaning somebody has not always won and he didn’t die — election can be won and election can be lost depending on how God wants it — you win, you stay, you lose, you stay.”
“Edo people, we want you by all means, we understand what’s going on in Edo, but we are asking you to stay firm, stay courageous, stay tenacious, I can assure you if we play our politics well which I know we will, we will have a way tomorrow, do not be deterred please, as we go into the primaries, I plead with each and every one of us from the body called PDP, there’s no enemy – that’s the message we are giving you today to take back to your people in Edo and behind that message, we are assuring you that we have built a wall around you in Edo and we will be there to give Edo PDP all the maximum support to win the election”, Hon Pascal added.
Some of Shaibu’s supporters who spoke to journalist expressed their confidence in Shaibu winning the Edo 2024 governorship election.
According to Miss Glory Gloria Umoru, “Shaibu is the most experienced and qualified aspirants among his contemporaries and stands the chance to win the Edo 2024 election.
Mr Daniel Otaru noted that Shaibu is youthful thriving and has the needed capacity to galvanize the state while his policy thrust should focus on Education, empowerment of youth, declaring a state of emergency on federal roads, agriculture healthcare system amongst others.
