Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has hailed the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, in the recently concluded Edo State governorship election as a testament to the power of the people. In a statement on Sunday, Shaibu expressed that the voices of Edo citizens were clearly heard through their votes for Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa.
In a message shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Shaibu wrote, “Today, we celebrate the triumph of democracy in Nigeria, particularly in Edo State. I commend the resilient people of Edo for their patience and active participation in the elections. Your voices were heard through your votes for Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa of the All Progressives Congress. I say a big congratulations to the newly elected governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo.”
He emphasized that the election outcome affirmed the principle of democracy, stating, “This victory solidifies the power of the people, affirming the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Thank you, Edo State, and congratulations to the APC family.”
In a follow-up interview on Monday, Shaibu addressed the defeat of Governor Godwin Obaseki in his local government area during the election. Shaibu viewed the loss as a vindication of his previous stance, asserting that Obaseki had consistently relied on external assistance to succeed in his political career.
“I feel vindicated; even the governor couldn’t win his local government. I won my unit, ward, and local government. Where are the governor’s results? He has never won; we always assisted him. What is left now is for him to go back and start begging and apologizing to the people of Edo State, and he has a lot of them that he needs to go and apologize to,” Shaibu remarked.
The election results have drawn attention to the shifting political landscape in Edo, with Shaibu positioning the APC’s victory as a reflection of the people’s will and a turning point in the state’s governance.