Edo Guber: “I’m Supporting APC’s Okpebholo Because He Can Speak His Local Language Unlike PDP’s Ighodalo” – Shaibu

Former Edo Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu has thrown his support behind Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the upcoming Edo governorship election scheduled for September 21. Shaibu lauded Okpebholo as one of the two “home boys” among the 16 candidates, the other being Labour Party’s (LP) Olumide Akpata, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Shaibu emphasized that both Okpebholo and Akpata possess the qualities needed to advance Edo State. Speaking at St. Paul Catholic Church on Airport Road, Benin, during the Fathers’ Day celebration, Shaibu criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Dr. Asue Ighodalo, labeling him a product of godfatherism, which he claimed former Governor Senator Adams Oshiomhole opposed.

“I will support a home boy,” Shaibu stated. “I entered the race to bring governance back to someone who understands our plight. We don’t want an outsider; we’ve tried that, and it hasn’t worked. This time, we need a home boy. Although I joined the contest as a home boy, today, only two home boys are in the major parties: one in LP and one in APC. I chose to support the APC home boy.”

Shaibu dismissed accusations of anti-party activity for backing APC’s candidate while still a PDP member. “It’s not anti-party activity. In the last election, Obaseki had one foot in LP and the other in PDP. So, my decision is not anti-party,” he explained.

He further endorsed Okpebholo’s grassroots experience, arguing it makes him the right choice for Edo. “Okpebholo understands the challenges of Edo residents. He who wears the shoe knows where it pinches. Unlike Ighodalo, who has never voted in any election, Okpebholo is a true home boy and a sitting senator from Edo Central.”

Shaibu concluded by criticizing comparisons between Ighodalo, a Lagos-based lawyer, and Okpebholo. “When Akpata and Okpebholo return to their people, they speak their languages, unlike Ighodalo,” he asserted.