From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, has obtained the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Expression of Interest form for the party’s governorship primary scheduled for February 22.
Shaibu’s form was obtained on his behalf by the forum of past leaders of National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS), led by Godwin Maliga, at the PDP National Secretariat, on Thursday.
Others who also obtained the expression of interest form on Thursday are Messrs Asue Ighodalo, Felix Akhabue and Anselm Ojezua. Ms Omosede Igbinedion had earlier obtained her form for the gubernatorial primary, on Wednesday.
Maliga, while addressing journalists, after obtaining the form for the deputy governor, stated that Shaibu is the most competent person to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki. He expressed confidence that the deputy governor will clinch the PDP ticket, not minding the odds against him.
According to him, “I think that it is the turn of the people to decide who will be the governor of Edo state. I am very confident that with what Philip Shaibu is made of, once he gets the ticket of PDP, the people will elect him as the governor of Edo state.
“For us, we believe that the primary is for the party. If the primary is going to be held today, we are confident that the delegates, who are party members will pick our candidate
“A lot of people are shouting zoning but you cannot go to equity without clean hands. What we are doing here today is for PDP. PDP has never given its governorship ticket to anybody from Edo North, go and check the history. If you go to the central, they have had the ticket of the PDP over and over and in most cases, they lose the election.”
Similarly, Ighadolo, who is believed to enjoy the support of Obaseki, told journalists that he stands a better chance to win the party ticket because he has been involved in service to Edo state directly since 2008.
The governorship hopeful said :”What I am bringing to the table is definitive focus. I see a path that will move Edo state from where it is to the first world economy. I see a path that will take our children all into school, to provide health services, remove our people from poverty, provide water, provide electricity, provide security, work with other people and work with our team, working with the federal government and working with other states.
“I am a man of peace, I am a man of fairness, I am a man of justice. I want to see my love for the people translate into benefit for the people of Edo state.
If the people of Edo state give me this chance, I will do my very best and I know that my very best will be good for the people of Edo state”.
Also, Akabhue stated that he is confident of not only winning the PDP ticket, but also winning the main election for the party..
” I want to assure you that my people know me and I know my people.To me, it is not a do-or-die affair, I have presented myself, I am ready, I am contesting the election and I want to believe that I am the candidate to beat. I will get the ticket by God’s grace”.