Edo 2024: Philip Shaibu Threatens Legal Action Over Certificate Of Return
- Storms PDP Headquarters in Abuja
Ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, embattled Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will face a long-drawn legal battle if it fails to recognise him as the Party’s authentic flag bearer.
Storming the PDP National Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Shsibu demanded recognition as the duly elected candidate of the ruling party in Edo State.
Also raising alarm over alleged impeachment plot by the State Assembly, he said giving him Certificate of Return for the conducted Primary is the right thing to do.
Addressing journalists at the party’s Wadata Plaza National Secretariat in Abuja, Shaibu said according to the guidelines released by the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), February 28, 2024 was set aside for the collection of certificate of return by the winner of the primary.
Wondering why the Party rejigged the original timetable surreptitiously, the Deputy Governor insisted that the right thing be done in the PDP in Edo State.
According to him, reports indicate that “someone came yesterday and was given the certificate of Return. Well, the court will decide the validity of such a ‘dubious’ arrangement”.
Comrade Shaibu, who claimed that reconciliation is not on the table for him because the opposing group are threatening him with impeachment and harassing his supporters, said the court will have to decide who is the authentic Party’s Standard bearer unless the certificate of return is given to him.
Forefront News notes the PDP in Edo State held parallel primaries that produced Philip Shaibu and Asue Ighodalo as its governorship candidates in the exercise conducted on February 22, 2023.
While Comrade Shaibu was declared the winner with 301 votes by a faction of the party loyal to him, Ighodalo polled 577 votes to win in other primary held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin with the supporters and loyalists of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
