Philip Shaibu Declares Opposition to Obaseki's Candidate Who Requires Interpreter for Role of Edo Governor

His remarks were made during an engagement in Irrua, the administrative hub of Esan Central Local Government Area.

Shaibu emphasized his preference for a local candidate, whom he referred to as a "homeboy," as the ideal choice for governor. He explained that someone who requires an interpreter does not embody the local identity required for a governor in this region. He argued that being a homeboy involves more than just birthplace; it involves cultural and linguistic ties to the community. “You know that someone born in Lagos State is not necessarily a homeboy here,” Shaibu pointed out. “And if needing an interpreter is seen as a disadvantage, then it's clear we need to choose a homeboy."

Though Shaibu refrained from naming specific individuals, it was clear his comments indirectly referred to Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate. Ighodalo, who had been criticized previously for his reliance on an interpreter during local campaign stops, was notably filmed employing such assistance to communicate with constituents in Esan, South East Local Government Area.

In the widely circulated video, Ighodalo, who was campaigning for the PDP nomination at the time, can be seen addressing the audience in English while his interpreter translated his words into the local Esan language.

Moreover, the internal strife within the PDP was highlighted by Dan Orbih, the party’s National Vice Chairman for the South-South Zone. Orbih expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs within the Edo State PDP, particularly following the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki. He lamented the pain and anger evident among party members and the broader populace, attributing these sentiments to unfulfilled promises and inadequate governance.

Orbih was adamant about not campaigning for the party unless significant measures were taken to resolve the ongoing issues. He declared, “In Edo State PDP, all is not well. I cannot in good conscience urge people to vote for a party that has not addressed the issues we campaigned on. Until I see concrete action, I refuse to participate in the governorship campaign council."

The backdrop to these events includes a heated pre-primary contest within the PDP, marked by disagreements among key figures including Obaseki, Shaibu, and their respective supporters. The outcome of the primary saw Ighodalo securing the nomination, which coincided with Shaibu's impeachment as deputy governor.

This sequence of events has further deepened the divisions within the Edo State chapter of the PDP, with factions forming both in support and opposition to Governor Obaseki and the designated party candidate. The political climate in Edo State remains tense as stakeholders continue to navigate these turbulent waters ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election.