By Ogochukwu Isioma in Benin City
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Thursday, described himself as a political activist in government for the service of the people.
This was as members of the ldunwinye Landlords Association, Aruogba, Benin City, on Thursday, pleaded with the deputy governor to contest the Edo Governorship seat in 2024.
The association said if Shaibu fails to run, it will go to court to compel him.
Shaibu made the remarks when he hosted executive council of the association, led by its Chairman, Comrade Samuel Igbinoba, at the Government House, Benin City.
He said he will continue to look up to God for guidance and direction in the course of his political journey, while sustaining his quest for an egalitarian society, adding that it was his focus during his years in students activism.
His words, “I welcome and thank you for your kind words. It’s only God that can shape the affairs of men. I’m happy to see one of those group of persons God has been using to pray for me. Prayer is most important because it has been shielding us, even in this very delicate political journey.
“I have been consistent in terms of what I want to achieve.I have always preached one thing which is love and without that, whatever we do amounts to nothing.
I’m a very quiet and gentle person, but fortunately or unfortunately, God’s assignment for me is to be the way I’m now. This is as a result of the oppression and injustice being meted out to the people which l cannot stand. This has strengthen me as an activist, meaning,making the system work is my main goal.
Citing America as an example, Shaibu said the people grew to a stage where they don’t expect what the country could do for them,rather, what they could do for America. This is because they have a conducive environment and their government made that happen by making all life matter.
“I’m in politics for service.I’m in politics to make my fellow humans comfortable and live up to the expectations of what I wanted Government to do in time past – that has kept me going because I remember what my fight has been.
“We need to pray for our leaders always , pray for political parties to have men of good conscience who will produce responsible representatives at all levels of government.
“As far as I remain Philip Shaibu, in everything I do, everywhere I go, I will continue to do the will of God.
The Deputy Governor promised that government will address the Association’s request for an electricity transformer very soon and solicited for prayers for the present administration.
“Let me enjoin our people to keep praying for the Government, Mr. Governor and my humble self, including other officials of Government for us to finish well and end strong”, Shaibu added.
Earlier, the Association’s address, read on behalf of the Chairman by Dr. Dan Oyoboh, chronicled the antecedents of Shaibu from his years as a student activist at the University of Jos, member of the State and Federal Parliament, to his present position as Deputy Governor of Edo State.
The Association applauded Shaibu for his unwavering loyalty to his principal, Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and their commitment towards making Edo Great again.
The Association also commended the present administration for the construction and completion of the ambitious lrhirhi-Ebo-Aruogba-Okhoromi-Ogheghe road which has opened up several communities in the area, while appealing for the donation of an electricity transformer in Aruogba to boost power supply and promote economic growth in the locality.
The ldunwinye Landlords’ insisted that the Deputy Governor has been consistently commited to the people in his political career, noting, “we are pleading with you to contest for the Governorship seat in 2024, otherwise,we will have no option than to go to court to compel you to contest.”
Highlight of the courtesy visit was a special prayer session, led by Reverend Sylvester Osagie for the Deputy Governor and his family.
