By Ogochukwu Isioma
Ahead of next year’s governorship election in Edo State, traditional rulers in Esanland, Edo Central Senatorial District, Wednesday, declared that the State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, is more than qualified to be governor.
The traditional rulers under the aegis of the Esan Traditional Council, made the declaration during a meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant at the palace of the Ojuromi of Uromi, in Uromi, headquarters of Esan North-East local government area.
At the meeting, the Ojuromi of Uromi, HRM Zaiki Anslem Edenojie II, who also doubles as Chairman of the Traditional Council, declared: “The Deputy Governor is known to all of us, and we believe that he (Shaibu) is more than qualified to be the Governor of our state.”
Also speaking, the Enojie of Ujoba and Secretary of the Council, HRH, Zaiki Solomon Ojiega, said although Edo stands on a tripod (Edo South, Central and North), they believe in a leader who can empathize, respect traditional institutions and give it a pride of place in society.
He spoke highly of the Deputy Governor, praying for God’s blessing on Shaibu’s political journey.
Chairman of the Traditional Council, seeking divine favour, asked the Enojie of Igueben, His Royal Highness, Zaiki Ehizoje Madugemo, to pray for Shaibu, expressing collective hopes for his successful political aspirations.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor had briefed the Traditional Council of his aspiration to contest the 2024 Governorship Election in the state, saying that he was in the palace to seek their support and prayers to be the flagbearer of the People Democratic Party, PDP.
He highlighted his longstanding relationship with the Community and urged the royal fathers’ support for someone familiar, empathetic, and in tune with their concerns.
Shaibu pledged to provide practical governance to the people, assuring adherence to traditional values while working closely with the traditional rulers to sustain the Edo cultural heritage.
The Deputy Governor advised the royal fathers to be wary of all those dangling the ethnic card before them “because it is an attempt to deceive and divide us as a people”, while emphasizing the need for a leader with a deep understanding of the state and its issues.
According to him, “Edo has gone beyond ethnic politics. We need somebody who has the capacity, a deep understanding of the state and who is fully on ground to address issues of concern to the people. Those playing ethnic politics are limited and short of what to tell the people.”
Shortly after receiving the royal blessing, the Deputy Governor met with the PDP Leaders in the Eleven (11) Wards in Esan South-East Local Government, where he reiterated his readiness to be the next Governor of Edo State, pleading that they should support his nomination to bear the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming party primaries.
He said he has had a close relationship with some of them way back his school days, describing himself as one of them who understands their pains. The party leaders also poured encomiums and prayers on the Deputy Governor and his aspiration.
