By Ogochukwu Isioma
Philip Shaibu, former Edo State Deputy Governor, Friday received a heroic welcome in his hometown; Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state. The town stood at standstill for Shaibu, who was described as a hero and grassroots politician.
It was a carnival of sorts as people poured in their numbers onto the streets to welcome their son home. Men, women, youth, children dressed in Shaibu’s campaign orange colour and even masquerades were not left out as they gathered at the Jattu junction, eagerly waiting to receive the ex-deputy governor.
Overwhelmed by the crowd that thronged the popular Jattu junction, Shaibu gave a thankful wave, signifying gratitude to the people, and every Nigerian for all the support they have given him over the years, especially in the past few months.
Shaibu walked with the people on foot from the popular Jattu junction, Auchi down to Jattu-Uzairue Kingdom, acknowledging cheers as the people abandoned their businesses to embrace him, welcoming their hero home.
He made a stop over at several junctions, and then headed over to his residence where a grand reception was planned for him. Shaibu, in excitement, mingled with his well-wishers as he danced to different music of local artistes.
Addressing the crowd, Shaibu thanked the people for their immense support for the past years of his service to the Edo people, and assured them of his continued loyalty and promised never to disappoint them.
He, however, sent a word of warning to leaders of the Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to either summon the rare courage ‘to do the needful’ or be prepared to face the wrath of Edo people at the polls on September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election.
He said Obaseki’s alleged choice of intimidation rather than creating room for engagement and eventual acceptance of a superior argument over who gets the party ticket was a misplaced, miscalculated, wasted and failed effort to force him to work for Asue Ighodalo, the Governor’s preferred aspirant.
Shaibu, who insisted there was no room for godfatherism in the state, ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election, however, vowed to stand with the people on who becomes the next Governor, saying, “The message is clear: The people are united, Home Boy is loved both home and abroad. The atmosphere was electrifying; one of oneness, unity and hope renewed!”
Commenting, an aide on social media to the former deputy governor, Ogochukwu Isioma, said, “The rousing and heroic welcome by the Afemai people for Philip Shaibu is clear and loud, proving to who cares to know that the Home Boy is not just one they hold in high esteem, love and admire politically but one they are ready to stand with come what may.
“Victimized, intimidated and oppressed for his rare courage to succeed Obaseki. What they orchestrated to humiliate, frustrate and destroy Shaibu politically will only be a stepping stone for him. To Afemai people, Shaibu remains a hero, admired for the rare courage and undaunted spirit an Afemai man is known for.
“Politics is local and indeed about the people and so when the people genuinely stand with you, there is no battle that you cannot withstand. Shaibu is a grassroots politician who has continued to endear himself to the hearts of Edo people particularly those of the Afemai extraction.”
