Shaibu dismisses Edo North PDP leaders’ meeting that endorsed Ighodalo, says it’s null, void

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has described a meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Edo North at the instance of Mike Oghiadomhe, former deputy governor, as null and void and of no effect.

Addressing supporters in his country-home in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area shortly after the Auchi Day Annual Celebration, Shaibu said the meeting was a slight on his person and office as a sitting deputy governor of the state. 

“Information reaching me says that Oghiadomhe, an elder of our party, called a meeting of PDP leaders in the six local governments of Edo North in his country-home, Fugar, Etsako Central local government and pressurised them to endorse one of the aspirants for the forthcoming governorship primary in the state.

“To me, that meeting was not held because by virtue of my office as deputy governor, I remain the leader of the PDP in Edo North and deputy leader of the party in the state. Any meeting held in the senatorial zone without my knowledge is deemed null and void.

“I respect Oghiadomhe as my elder and as my predecessor in office. Any meeting held in Edo North without my knowledge or input remains null and void.

“Oghiadomhe could not allow such a thing to happen when he was in office as deputy governor and as a leader of Edo North. PDP is a party of structure and of hierarchy well defined in its constitution. I plead with all of you to remain calm and not be provoked by this action because after the primaries, we need to come together as members of the PDP, so, we will need everybody to win the main election in September.

“Oghiadomhe is trying to provoke us but we will remain calm because this project is not about Philip Shaibu, it is God’s own project. You all saw what happened at the Otaru’s palace today. It was very clear that God has a hand in this project,” the deputy governor said.

At the said meeting attended by some leaders of PDP in the area, including Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, Yisa Braimoh, Johnson Agbolagba and others, the attendees were said to have unanimously adopted Asue Ighodalo as their preferred aspirant ahead of the PDP governorship primary.