By Collins Edomaruse
Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, says his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, has not been picking his phone calls since July this year. He said he stopped calling him when he hit 113 unanswered calls mark some weeks ago.
The Deputy Governor, who disclosed this Wednesday in Lagos, also said scores of SMS from him to the Governor Obaseki have also not been responded to.
Shaibu, a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), former member and majority leader of Edo State House Assembly and former member of House of Representatives, restated his resolve to pursue his governorship ambition and vowed that “Governor Obaseki can’t stop me”.
Shaibu, who said he was in Lagos to consult with senior journalists from Edo State, told his audience that the state was in dire straits.
He vowed: “No intimidation suppresses me or kills my resolve. We have seen the worst form of oppression, intimidation, molestation, etc, fighting the military as a student leader and what I am getting from Gov Obaseki currently is nothing compared to what we have experienced.
Asked about the political platform he intends to pursue his ambition, the deputy governor said: “I am a full time member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He lamented a situation where private sector people were being brought to state, but funded by the state’s resources.
“The guys are just enjoying. They are in business without loans from the banks with the attendant high interest rate. In the process, the government has no money to do roads, etc.
“When I come in, that would stop. The private sector guys will come in, but with their funds. We’ll spend our money on the poor people of the state”, he added.
He said he ost prepared and experienced of all the aspirants having been a part of the Oserhiemen Osunbor, Adams Oshiomhole and the Obaseki governments.
