From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Edo State deputy governor and governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, Philip Shaibu, today, said that his political rift between himself and his boss, the governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has forestalled allocations to his office for six months.
He disclosed this at the official unveiling of the secretariat of the Correspondents Chapel/End of Year Party in Benin City.
Shaibu said whatever funds he is using at the moment, are contributions from friends and well wishers noting that he will always remain strong knowing that he is doing what is right not for himself alone but to the growth and development of the state.
“I will not want to talk too much today, because, tomorrow is our day, I will save the rest till tomorrow.
“But our NUJ Chairman has used N100,000 to look for trouble, to ignite and as a comrade, he knows what it takes when we say solidarity, but I will have to comply with what he said in solidarity to the chapel. I will take care of the one year rent that you have paid.
“I will return back to you. I am sure you contributed money to pay for the one year rent. So, I will return the money back to you so that it will be in your purse for other things you will like to do.
“Because, when I came now, I discovered the generator was malfunctioning, I am sure that money will fix some of your needs.
“I would have done more, but you know there is tension between the governor and I. And for six months, no allocation to my office.
“So, you, whatever I am doing is contributions from friends and my goodwill and I am still standing very strong.
“And I will continue to be strong because for me, Edo should be one, Edo at every time should be paramount in our minds.
“I am determined to make what it ought to be and I am determined to make sure that good governance is seen, felt and touched.
“I am also determined to make sure that in all things, Edo must be first and I am determined to strengthening institutions.
“I came into politics because I feel that we should have an egalitarian society. I came into politics to make institutions strong because that is the only way you can have that society of our dream.
“Because, when institutions are strong, you deal with those guys that think they are powerful, moderate their excesses, and also promote and help the weak in the society.
“Institution does not know the rich, strong, and the poor. It takes care of all strata of life. That is what I am standing for, that is my calling to joining politics.
“That is why I have sacrificed a lot of things to make sure the institution call Edo works”, Shaibu said.
The deputy governor said he would soon catalogues his contributions to the success of this present administration for Nigerians to read about.
“I even sacrificed my personal entitlement to make sure this institution works and in the coming weeks, I will give a stewardship of what I have done as deputy governor from 2016 to date.
“And I will catalogue it to things I am entitled that I had to forfeit for peace and tranquility and I will also catalogue some of the things that I have been asked to do as deputy governor and I have done them credibly well.
“Very soon, there is going to be a world press conference to give an overview of stewardship as deputy governor.
“Don’t forget, when we are contesting this election before the general election, I am an aspirant and immediately after the election, I am now the deputy governor of Edo State.
“So, my duties is to Edo State people, so you will be amazed that my loyalty is not purchased but genuine, real to Edo people and to make institutions strong.
“And by the time I am done, Edo would have seen the level of sacrifice that some of us have made as deputy governor of Edo State
The deputy governor who recalled how a Journalist saved his life while in prison, said
“I want to identify with you and to say, you know I am your member, I am a member and I will always do everything and anything for the growth of journalism and journalists anywhere I am.
“I am your ambassador anywhere I am. This is not because of politics, but because of what you have done to save my life in the cause of doing your work”.
Earlier, the chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, commended the leadership of the chapel for promoting journalistic practices in the state and made a donation of a N100,000 to support them.
While welcoming guests to the occasion, the chairman of the chapel, Comrade Nefishetu Yakubu said the decision to look for an office was fueled by the need for a more spacious and serene environment, especially for its members who are duly accredited Journalists working in National Newspapers with head offices outside Edo State.
She said the new secretariat is not an alternative to the NUJ Press Center, which is home to all Journalists but it merely symbolizes their commitment to providing a comfortable and productive workspace for its members.