The deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has declared that nobody can stop him from contesting the 2024 governorship election in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed September 21, 2024, as the election date in Edo State.

Speaking in a live broadcast on Monday, November 27, 2023, Shaibu declared that he would contest the gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding: “Nobody can stop my ambition.”

The deputy governor further described himself as a homeboy who feels the pain of the people of Edo State, urging the electorate and PDP members to support his ambition.

He added that he is in the best position to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki having been in politics for 30 years and working with his principal in the last seven years to develop Edo State.

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Shaibu, who said the people of Edo State asked him to join the governorship race, promised to deliver practical governance if elected governor of the state in 2024.

He said: “We have started the journey and I decided together with all of us that after the consultation, we needed to make the answer to our consultation known to Edo people and the answer is clear.

“They (Edo people) have asked me to go and run and they said I am the one they see not just as a street boy but original own boy that can live there.

“I can assure you that by the grace of God, we will deliver practical governance.”

Shaibu, who also promised to strengthen the agricultural sector, vowed to continue where Obaseki stopped in the execution of projects across Edo State.

Shaibu’s ambition has put him at loggerheads with Governor Obaseki, who is believed not to be disposed to his deputy taking over from him.

The governor recently relocated his deputy to another office outside the Government House while his media crew was also disbanded.

Shaibu later apologised to Obaseki and asked for the latter’s forgiveness if he had offended him unknowingly to enable them to finish well in office

The deputy governor also called on the governor to forgive him so as to develop the state together with him.

The Star