…says he had a father/son relationship with Chief Edebiri
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, has described the relationship that existed between him and the late Esogban of Benin Kingdom as that of father and son.
This is even as Shaibu disclosed that his relationship with “the oracle has spoken” dates back to 2003 when he first contested for the State House of Assembly election on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP.
The Deputy Governor made the disclosure Friday when he paid a condolence visit to the late Esogban family at his country home in Benin City.
According to the Deputy Governor, “Esogban was a father whom I had identified with ever before my elections into Edo State House of Assembly. That was almost two decades ago(2003) when I contested for a seat at the Edo State House of Assembly”.
“He came to my constituency then to join me in my electioneering campaign. l won that election but later robbed of the victory after I had been declared the winner by INEC”.
“I decided to challenge the result at the tribunal, but Esogban advised me to withdraw the case, describing it as a “baptism of fire,” me in my political career. He prayed for me, encouraged me and assured me of victory if I contested again. I listened and withdrew the case. In 2007, l contested again and true to his prayers, l won the election”.
Shaibu continued: “I’m here to extend my condolences to the family of late Chief David Edebiri. Beyond politics, I’m a son of the house. The family will attest to the fact that I always sneak into this house to see Daddy”.
“When it was time for the former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to contest the governorship, we visited Daddy and he asked if I was not going to contest for the House of Assembly election. I told him no, that I was just going to support Comrade for his aspiration. Daddy objected and asked me to go and contest, adding that Comrade contesting for governorship had nothing to do with me becoming a member of the House of Assembly because he would need the support of House members if he won. I eventually contested and won. Today, the rest is history”.
“Daddy is no more. I encourage those of us he left behind to keep those virtues and sustain them. I have lost a mentor and a political father.” Shaibu lamented.
The Deputy Governor also recounted the wise counsel of Esogban in the government’s quest at repositioning the State’s darling football club, Bendel Insurance.
“When we were to rebrand Bendel Insurance and Edo Queens FC, I came to Daddy and I told him about our vision on the rebranding. Daddy objected and told me to first rebrand one of the teams, after which I will proceed with the other. That was how we were able to identify our errors and followed up on our plans. I can write a chapter of a book about Baba if given the opportunity”, Shaibu added.
Earlier, the son of the late Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Mr Kelvin Edebiri, who spoke on behalf of the bereaved family, appreciated the Deputy Governor for the condolence visit, while sharing his experiences of the cordial relationship between the Deputy Governor and his late father.
Kelvin noted that he was conversant with Shaibu’s regular visits to the Esogban.