Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has emphasized that any gubernatorial candidate unable to communicate in the Edo dialect is unfit to lead the state.
Shaibu made this assertion during the Edo Central PDP leaders and stakeholders meeting convened in Irrua, the administrative hub of Esan Central Local Government Area. He insisted that only a candidate native to Edo State could effectively govern, emphasizing the importance of linguistic and cultural familiarity.
Addressing the gathering, Shaibu underscored his support for a “homeboy” candidate, defining them as individuals fluent in the Edo dialect and deeply connected to the local culture. He expressed skepticism towards candidates relying on interpreters, suggesting that such dependence signaled a disconnection from the state’s cultural fabric.
Although Shaibu refrained from explicitly naming any candidate, recent attention has focused on PDP nominee Asue Ighodalo, who used an interpreter during a ward visit in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area. In a video circulating online, Ighodalo addressed constituents in English while an interpreter translated his message into the Esan Language.
Adding to the discourse, Dan Orbih, the party’s National Vice Chairman for the South-South Zone, voiced concerns over internal party dynamics and governance under incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki. Orbih emphasized the need for concrete action to address grievances within the party, warning of potential repercussions if unresolved issues persist.
The ongoing rift within the Edo State PDP escalated further following the party’s gubernatorial primary election, which saw Ighodalo emerge as the candidate. Concurrently, Shaibu faced impeachment as deputy governor, exacerbating tensions within the party’s ranks.
As the political landscape evolves, divisions within the Edo State PDP deepen, with dissenting voices within the party challenging Obaseki’s leadership and the candidacy of Ighodalo.
