Edo PDP Crisis Deepens As Deputy Gov Shaibu, Wins Parallel Primary

The crisis in the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Thursday after Philip Shaibu, the state deputy governor, pulled out of the primary being organised by the party to emerge the candidate of the party through a parallel primary.

The party had cleared 10 aspirants to vie for the governorship ticket of the party.

Those cleared are Hon. Omosede Igbinedion; former chairman of Edo State APC, Anselm Ojezua; former chairperson of Esan West Local Government Area, Felix Akhabue Felix Akhabue, former managing director of Sterling Bank.

Others are Dr Asue Ighodalo; Arthur Esene, former House of Representatives member, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama; Amb. Martin Uhumoibi, Osaro Onaiwu, Umoru Hadizat and Shaibu.

The party screened and cleared 576 delegates to vote for who would emerge as the candidate of the party.

But surprisingly, while Shaibu was being expected at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the venue of the primary, the deputy governor went for a parallel primary.

No member of the electoral committee, which is being chaired by the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal with Governor Sheriff Oborevwhori of Delta as co-chairman attended the primary.

Other members of the committee, which the party appointed to conduct its primary are Senator James Manager (secretary), Senator Bayero Nafada, Nella Rabana, SAN, Hadiza Mustapha and Chief Felix Hyatt, none of them attended the primary that produced Shaibu.

Shaibu emerged with over three hundred and one votes.

Meanwhile, the Godwin Obaseki faction of the party is yet to commence the election as of the time of filing this report.