The deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu, says his decision to contest for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election is the reason behind the dispute between him and the state governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Addressing journalists, Shaibu said Obaseki is not happy that he is not supporting his preferred candidate.
The deputy governor said he had made several efforts to mend the relationship with the governor to no avail.
“He has not been happy that I’m not supporting his candidate. It is my right to contest in an election and I’m exercising that right. And he has done a lot of negative things. It doesn’t really matter, I see it as politics.
“I’ve made up my mind to always respect the office of the governor, and I’ll continue to respect the office of the governor till the end, whether as deputy or any other thing.
“So the relationship is not cordial, I can tell you that. It’s not from my own end, it’s from his own end because I have made attempts to bridge the gap, but he doesn’t allow it”, Shaibu said.
“I have called him and he doesn’t pick up, even in public functions, I greet him, but he doesn’t answer me, because I have made up my mind that I must exercise my right.
“We’ve never had any differences, the only difference we have is ‘why are you contesting’?”
Shaibu emerged winner in a parallel primary as Asue Ighodalo was elected as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the September 21 governorship election.
However, the deputy governor has insisted that he is the PDP’s genuine candidate, warning that if the party supports Ighodalo, it risks losing the State.
