Edo State deputy governor Philip Shaibu has made his intent to take over from his boss Godwin Obaseki known. He has declared his ambition for the seat of the governor. He can do two things to secure the ticket of the PDP and go on to win the gubernatorial election.
Mr. Obaseki has made it crystal clear that he doesn’t have power to give the ticket of the party to anyone. One can disagree with him, but the reality is a sitting governor doesn’t have ultimate power over whom the party presents.……Continue Reading………
Shaibu needs to understand that he works closely with the national headquarters of the political party. The current acting chairman of the party, Umar Damagum would play lots of roles in the primary election or selection of the Edo State PDP’s gubernatorial candidate.
The national leadership of the party would send delegates to conduct the primary election and most of the time, the headquarters has preferred candidates for the ticket.
A closer relationship or rapport with the leadership of the party can pave the way for Philip Shaibu. Apart from that, the current structure of the PDP is loyal to the ex vice president Atiku Abubakar. Atiku will also play roles and the national leadership of the PDP can convince the former vice president to support Shaibu.
The second thing is to start touring Edo State as a whole. If it’s true and valid that Godwin Obaseki alone can’t decide who takes the ticket, the deputy governor can do a lot to convince the PDP leaders across the state.
Every governor always ensures he controls the affairs of his party at the state level. However, it doesn’t mean that all of them are pleased with what the governor does. Shaibu should begin to talk directly to the PDP chieftains in Edo State.
If the deputy governor can get overwhelming support of the chieftains at local level, the Edo State governor may have no choice but to join and support his deputy. It won’t be logical or reasonable to stand against the preferred candidate of the party leaders at the local level.
