Politics

Edo Guber: ‘Enough Of English That Takes Us Nowhere’ – Shaibu Reveals Why He’d Support APC Candidate

Published

1 year ago

June 17, 2024

Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has said he would be supporting the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen Monday Okpebholo ahead of the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata.

He added that his choice of supporting Okpebholo, is because he possess the characteristics of the homeboy needed to take over governance in Edo State.

Shaibu spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the Fathers’ Day celebration at the St Paul Catholic Church in Benin City.

He said the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo is a product of godfatherism, a lexicon he said has been eradicated from the political history of the state which he said former governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole preached and which he joined the governor to stop in the 2020 election adding that he has also learnt new political strategies from Governor Obaseki.

He said, “I am a very good learner and learning is what is most important in our lives, We must continue to learn till we die, the governor of Edo State. Mr Godwin Obaseki says everybody has the right to support whoever he wants to support but he also forgot that he doesn’t have the right to stop anybody from supporting whoever he wants to support so it is my right to also decide who I want to support.

“I will support a homeboy, I came in to contest to be governor of Edo State because I needed governance to return to a homeboy, somebody that understands our plight; somebody that understands what the people are feeling.

“Even the United Nations talks about needs assessment. We don’t want an outsider. We have experimented with an outsider and it is not working, so this time, we want a homeboy.

“I came into the contest as a homeboy but today, we have only two home boys in the major political parties; one is in the Labour Party LP) and one is in the All Progressives Congress (APC). I chose to follow the homeboy in the APC, the man they are parading in the PDP is an outsider and we have also agreed that no more godfatherism in Edo. The man PDP is parading is the godson of Obaseki, and there is no way a godson can be governor of Edo State again,” he declared.

On whether he would not be accused of anti-party activity since he is still a member of the PDP, Shiabu said “No, it is not anti-party because I know that in the last election, the governor was one leg in the Labour Party and one leg PDP so it can’t be anti-party now.”

On the capacity of Okpebholo he said “Enough of English that takes us nowhere. We are talking about governance, the man that understands the plight of the people, he who wears the shoes knows where it pinches. A man that has never voted, how can he be seeking for our vote, and we are comparing him to a man that is a sitting senator who is a homeboy.

“When Akpata and Akpaomiza get home to their people, they speak their language, I have chosen one out of the two because I see Akpakomiza as an innocent politician, somebody that is grass-rooted, somebody that is truly a homeboy”

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Politics

By-Election: Idahosa Assures Of More Infrastructural Development In Ovia

Published

1 hour ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has assured the people of Ovia Federal Constituency of continual infrastructural development as part of effort to improve the economic well-being of the people.

Idahosa, however, urged the people of support ahead of the Ovia federal constituency bye-election scheduled for August 16.

The state’s deputy governor, gave the assurance during the party’s campaign at Oduna and Oghede Wards for the by-election.

Idahosa urged the people to keep faith with the APC, as the party never failed in its campaign promises in the state.

According to him, “unlike the other parties, especially the PDP, we have never failed to keep to our electoral promises in Edo state.

“Experience has taught you not to rely on the PDP that failed you for the past eight years in the areas of roads and Gele-gele Sea Port.

“We have always been different and be rest assured that this time, we don’t intend to deviate from the norm which we are known for; delivery of democratic dividends in Edo state.

“As a matter of fact, you all can attest to the fact that our people oriented governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo has started making the difference around you here just within six months in office.”

The deputy governor appealed to the people for support to enable the governor continue with the execution of more projects in the areas.

Speaking on Omosede Igbinedion choice as APC candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency, Idahosa said,
“the APC is a party that wants the best for the people.”

High point of the campaign was Igbinedion granting of scholarship to two girls that showed bravery by opening canvassing support for her.

Politics

Use Edo By-election As Template For APC’s Victory In 2027, Idahosa Urges Residents

Published

1 day ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

Deputy governor of Edo State Hon Dennis Idahosa, has urged the people to show their readiness to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 general elections by using the House of Representatives bye-election scheduled for August 16 as a template.

Idahosa hinged his call on the fact that Governor Monday Okpebholo had shown his readiness for governance within a year in office and deserved to be supported by the people.

The deputy governor stated this when the APC campaign team birthed at Uhiere, Okokhuo, and Isiuwa, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the Ovia Federal Constituency bye-election is for the people to show “capacity” and nothing more.

“The Executive Governor of our dear state, and my Principal, Monday Okpebholo, by the grace of God, through your support, has promised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2.5 million votes.

“The efficacy of that promise starts on August 16 with the Ovia Federal Constituency bye-election.

“This is not a normal election, it is an election to show capacity. The results you give to Omosede unlocks the key to accessing the dividends of democracy.

“The margin of winning is important. This is why we are all here to convince you to ensure that we get at least 70 percent votes from the registered voters in this area,” he stated.

The deputy governor who led the APC team for the campaign said the party’s candidate, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, had the capacity to entrench the dividends of democracy to the area.

At Isiuwa, NIFOR Community, Idahosa praised the people for making the area an APC stronghold.

He said he was not there for the campaign but to introduce their daughter to them and asked them for their support to the party’s candidate for the bye-election.

Similarly, Idahosa also appealed to the people of Okokhuo community for support.

Omosede who was full of praises in visited wards, said “this is the first time, in a long while, since 2015, I am here with a broom, a symbol of development and advancement.

“You know, the umbrella is tattered and scattered, and you know the PDP has fallen. I am grateful to you all who took the time to be here.”

She told the people to hold her accountable for every campaign promise she made.

Politics

2027: Jonathan May Get Automatic Ticket, If… – PDP

Published

2 days ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly considering offering former President Goodluck Jonathan an automatic ticket to contest the 2027 presidential election, if he returns to the party and plays a more active political role.

This was revealed by Daniel Woyengikuro, the PDP’s National Financial Secretary, during an exclusive interview in Abuja. Woyengikuro emphasized Jonathan’s continued influence within the party and the nation’s politics, describing him as the PDP’s national leader.

“Is he not the best candidate for us at this moment? He is not just a former president; he is the leader of the party now. Aside from [former President Olusegun] Obasanjo, the next person in line is him. Goodluck Jonathan is the national leader of this party,” Woyengikuro said.

He confirmed that the PDP has been consulting with Jonathan and his associates, aiming to bring him back into the party’s mainstream leadership as part of a larger strategy to reposition the party and address Nigeria’s growing political and economic challenges.

“Nigeria has reached a point where we need to salvage this country — for our generation and for those to come,” Woyengikuro added. “When we talk about the Southern Presidency, someone like Goodluck Jonathan stands out.”

When asked directly if the party would consider granting Jonathan an automatic ticket, Woyengikuro responded emphatically:

“For me, that’s what I firmly stand for. You can quote me anywhere — I want him to come. An automatic ticket for him, as it stands now. Because we must salvage both this party and the nation.”

He further asserted that Jonathan’s return would significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

Woyengikuro also praised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, calling him a “vibrant leader” and a strong candidate from the South capable of bridging Nigeria’s generational divide.

“These are the two main individuals I stand for: Goodluck Jonathan and Seyi Makinde,” he concluded.

The PDP is expected to intensify its internal consultations in the coming months as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.