The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has strongly criticized Philip Shaibu, the former deputy governor, for publicly declaring his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in the upcoming Edo governorship election. Shaibu, who remains a member of the PDP, expressed his preference for Okpebholo over his party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, whom he described as an outsider and a product of godfatherism.
Shaibu’s endorsement of Okpebholo has sparked controversy within the PDP, with the party accusing him of contradicting PDP’s principles and undermining its candidate. The party’s stance was articulated by Rev. Olu Martin, the Deputy Director General of the media arm of the Edo PDP Governorship Campaign Council. Martin called Shaibu’s remarks about Ighodalo being an outsider disrespectful and insisted that Shaibu cannot remain in the party while openly supporting another candidate.
In response to Shaibu’s endorsement, Martin called for his resignation from the PDP, suggesting that it would be more honorable for Shaibu to formally leave the party if he intends to support a candidate from another political party. Martin emphasized that the criteria for leadership should be based on capability, intelligence, excellence, and smartness rather than local upbringing.
Philip Shaibu, prior to his impeachment as deputy governor, had contested against Asue Ighodalo in the PDP governorship primary but lost. His alignment with the APC candidate represents a significant departure from his party affiliation and has raised questions about his political allegiances and motivations in the run-up to the governorship election scheduled for September 21.
The controversy underscores the internal divisions and challenges facing the PDP in Edo State as it prepares for a contentious electoral contest.