•••No Zoning of Governorship – Airhiavbere
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr Philip Shaibu, is set to declare his intention to contest for the 2024 Edo State governorship election contrary to wishes of his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
There are loud indications that Obaseki is not disposed to his deputy taking over from him.
But the Network investigation revealed that Shaibu is said to have been consulting and meeting with politicians and the media on his intention to run for the Governorship race next year.
It was gathered that the Edo State deputy governor has concluded plan to launch his ambition next week.
“If everything works according to his plans, he will officially declare his intention next week.
“He has already secured a campaign office along Airport Road. Some of the campaign vehicles have started arriving and the consultations have reached an advanced stage”, a close allay of Shaibu disclosed.
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), on Monday, said there would be no zoning of the governorship ticket to any of the three senatorial zones.
He stated that the state needs a governor that would respect and restore the dignity of the Benin Monarch.
Airhavbere made the declaration during a meeting with members of the Oredo Ward 1 in his residence in Benin City, where he declared his intention to run for the Edo State government house in 2024.
Airhavbere said; “I have always insisted that Edo State remained under the federal government because this is the heartbeat of the nation.
“So how can the heartbeat be in another party and then you still say it is the heartbeat?
“We must trust the government at the federal level and we must key-in, that is why we are restating that bringing this State to the APC government is a task that must be done and that is one of the reasons I have decided to throw my cap into the ring and to make sure that we rescue this state.
“We hear people saying there should be zoning, you can only zone what you have, if you don’t have a daughter, you cannot give out a daughter into marriage that is why APC must present the best and the best is standing before you.” He said
The State Youth Leader of the APC, Comrade Tony Kabaka, said the state needs a governor that would protect and respect the sanctity of the Benin monarchy.