By Raphael Okhiria
Embattled Deputy Governor of Edo state, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has disclosed that for daring to declare interest in contesting the 2024 governorship election in the state, Governor Godwin Obaseki, has withheld his allocation for the last six months.
The deputy governor, made this known when he delivered a goodwill message at the launch of the new office and end of year party of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council.
Shaibu disclosed that he ventured into politics in order for the people to have egalitarian society, saying “That is why I have sacrificed a lot of things to make sure the Institution call Edo works.
“You know there is tension between the governor and I. For six months, no allocation to my office. I will continue to be strong because for me, Edo should be one, Edo at every time should be paramount in our minds.
“I am determined to make sure that good governance is seen, felt and touched, also determined to make sure that in all things, Edo must be first and I am determined to strengthening institutions.
“I came into politics because I feel that we should have an egalitarian society, make institutions strong because that is the only way you can have that society of our dream”.
The deputy governor asserted that “when institutions are strong, you deal with those guys that thinks they are powerful, moderate their excesses, and also promote and help the weak n the society.
“Institution does not know the rich, strong, and the poor, it takes care of all strata of life. That is what I am standing for, that is my calling to joining politics. That is why I have sacrificed a lot of things to make sure the Institution
call Edo works.
“I even sacrificed my personal entitlement to make sure this institution works and in the coming weeks, I will give a stewardship of what I have done as deputy governor from 2016 to date.
“I will catalogue it to things I am entitled that I had to forfeit for peace and tranquility and I will also catalogue some of the things that I have been asked to do as deputy governor and I have done them credibly well.
“Very soon, there is going to be a world press conference to give an overview of stewardship as deputy governor. Don’t forget when we are contesting this election before the general election I am an aspirant and immediately after the election, I will now be the deputy governor of Edo state”, he said
The state deputy governor who commended the Correspondents’Chapel for the befitting secretariat office, promised to continue to identify with chapel in order to strengthened journalism practice in Nigeria.
In her welcome address, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Mrs. Nefishetu Yakubu, said that the new office of the chapel was fueled by the need for members to move to a more spacious and serene environment to work,
She added the office also reflected a testament of the chapel’s unwavering dedication to the principles of journalism and the pursuit of excellence.
“Together, let us continue to uphold the principles of journalism, foster camaraderie among members, and contribute to the vibrant media landscape we all cherish”, she said
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