…as Party Leaders promise a level playing field for aspirants
Edo State Deputy Governor and frontline PDP aspirant in the 2024 governorship election, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, has met with Edo South PDP Senatorial leaders in Benin City.
During the meeting, the Deputy Governor stressed the importance of unity within the PDP as they prepare for the party primaries and the upcoming governorship elections.
He emphasized the need for the party to elect a vibrant and outspoken leader like himself who can bravely speak truth to power and resist intimidation from the Federal Government, having done so in the past during the administrations of the then military dictator, Sanni Abacha and President Olusegun Obasanjo as a student activist.
The Deputy Governor vowed to rescue Edo State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from imminent collapse while reiterating his commitment to take back Edo and return governance to the people.
He acknowledged the fact that the PDP was once a party of strong and united leadership but lamented that the present leadership had been eroded over time, creating a gap within the party, pledging to support any move aimed at uniting the party again.
Shaibu highlighted his leadership qualities and experience in governance while assuring the party leaders that if elected, he would not repeat the mistakes of previous administrations and would work tirelessly to bring back the party’s lost prestige.
The Deputy Governor also promised the gathering that his administration would hit the ground running from day one. He said his team was already working on various projects to make an immediate impact.
According to him, one of his primary goals would be to initiate a rail project connecting the entire state to Benin. He also outlined plans to decongest traffic in the city centre by constructing bridges.
In terms of security, the governorship aspirant pledged to collaborate with traditional rulers to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the state. He stressed the importance of a robust community policing system.
On his part, Barrister Nosa Ogieva Okunbor, Edo South PDP Senatorial leader, expressed sympathy for Shaibu’s position as Deputy Governor and acknowledged the challenges he is currently facing in government.
He assured the Deputy Governor that the people of Edo South would provide a level playing field for all aspirants, as their main agenda was the betterment of the Edo state.
Okunbor emphasized the need for unity among all the aspirants and their followers, urging them to avoid making derogatory remarks about one another.
The Senatorial leader maintained that their common goal as PDP leaders was to retain power and elevate the party to new heights in the state.
Other stakeholders who spoke in unison included party executives, local government leaders and other influential figures from the senatorial district. They all stressed the importance of having a leader who resides among the people and understands their needs, rather than those who would govern remotely.
The stakeholders urged Shaibu not to forget the people of Edo South if he emerged victorious, asking him to ensure that development reached all 192 wards across the state.
They, however, commended the Deputy Governor for his commitment to inclusivity and noted that this was a significant factor in garnering trust and support from party members.