Our reporter
Comrade Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, has officially endorsed Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the upcoming September 21 governorship election.
The endorsement occurred over the weekend during the Afenmai World Congress (AWC) held in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Shaibu, accompanied by Edo APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe, rallied support for Okpebholo, who represents the Edo Central Senatorial District. He urged the electorate to vote en masse for Okpebholo to ensure good governance in Edo State.
The event saw unexpected drama when Godwins Omotayo, recently dismissed as the state’s deputy governor by the Federal High Court in Abuja, did not attend despite arriving at the hotel the previous day. His absence prevented him from delivering his goodwill message.
The AWC, a global organization uniting various clubs, associations, and unions of Edo North Senatorial District indigenes and their friends, served as the backdrop for Shaibu’s endorsement. The congress marked Tenebe’s first attendance, where he was welcomed as a democratic hero.
Emphasizing the importance of Diaspora support, Tenebe highlighted that winning the crucial governorship election would be challenging without their backing. He encouraged attendees to motivate their families in Edo State to vote for Okpebholo and urged them to engage actively in local politics.
He cited the example of Hussein Lekki, born in the Diaspora and now a member of the Edo House of Assembly, as an inspiration for political involvement.
