Edo guber: Intimidation makes me stronger, says Shaibu
State govt blames controversy over govt house chapel renovation on Shaibu
EDO State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, yesterday, said that the series of intimidation he has suffered in his political career has made him stronger in his aspiration to become the next governor of the state.
Returning his completed governorship nomination form to the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Shaibu, who alleged that elders of the party in the state have been compromised, boasted that he is sure of victory because the youths are with him. He said: “I will tell the leadership of the PDP that some of us have been harassed. I have received a lot of intimidation, but, unfortunately
Mfor me, it is like a cross that God has asked me to carry. My life has been characterized by harassment and intimidation; but in all, I have always come out successful.
“This PDP primary is also going to be the same because they are right now buying people. They have bought all the elders, but they have not been able to buy the youths. This is another challenge. It will get to a time when the money they are using to buy those guys will be brought to me, and I will use some of them to campaign so that PDP will win.” EANWHILE, the Edo State government has flayed the deputy governor for allegedly stoking controversy over the renovation of the Interdenominational Government House Chapel, saying that he is using things that Nigerians and Edo people see and hold as sacred such as religion to whip up political sentiments.
This was made known through a statement issued by the Senior Special Adviser ( SSA) to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Religious Matters and Pastor- in- Charge, Edo State Government House Chapel, Rev Osagie Ehrunmwunse.
The statement noted that in the last couple of days, there have been posts on social media and various media outfits, suggesting that the state government has shut down the chapel, preventing people from using it as a place of worship.
The statement reads in part: “Following closely from this narrative, the deputy governor held an outdoor Mass with some catholic faithful, clearly showing that he is behind the people circulating the video and the accompanying false commentary, as his actions seek to curiously authenticate their false claims.
“It is unfortunate that the Shaibu has embarked on this lowly adventure, attempting to stoke religious animosity to embarrass the government in which he serves.
“We want to bring the attention of the public and other relevant stakeholders to the fact that the Shaibu was present at the 57th exco meeting, held on November 1, 2023, when approval was given for the renovation and remodeling of the Government House Interdenominational Chapel. He served as Vice Chairman of the council in that meeting. The project is being handled by the Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency.”