The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday congratulated his deputy, Philip Shaibu, who turned 54.
He thanked his deputy for his support over the last seven years.
The governor’s congratulatory message to his deputy was contained in a statement made available to journalists.
The statement read, “I congratulate my brother, the deputy governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, on his 54th birthday.
“I thank him immensely for his support in the course of our drive for the development of our state in the last seven years.
“I also acknowledge the energy and vigour he has brought to bear as this administration embarked on the onerous task of bringing transformational change and development to Edo State.
“Alongside making these contributions to this administration, he has remained an exemplary husband, father, and great family man.
“I celebrate him today and wish him many more years in good health and sound mind,” he added.
Shaibu’s ambition to contest the next governorship election in the state has put him at loggerheads with Obaseki, who is believed not to be favourably disposed to his deputy taking over from him.
At the height of the face-off, Shaibu approached an Abuja High Court to stop Obaseki and the Edo State House of Assembly from impeaching him.
He later withdrew the case after the intervention of well-meaning individuals.
However, Shaibu remains ostracised and currently has his office outside the Government House in the GRA in Benin, the state capital.
The deputy governor formally declared his intention to run on Monday, saying that nobody can halt his ambition.
The deputy governor, who made his declaration at the Bishop Kelly Centre, Benin, said he is a home boy who feels the pain of the people, urging the electorate and party members to back his ambition.
He said having been in poltics for 30 years and working with Governor Godwin Obaseki in the last seven years to improve the state, he was in the best position to succeed his principal.
“Nobody can stop my ambition,” he declared.
Speaking on Thursday in Bauchi, Obaseki said members of the Peoples Democratic Party, and not him, would decide Shaibu’s fate.
Text except headline courtesy of Punch
