• Clash of camps likely at venue
The die is cast between Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, over next year’s succession plan.
The deputy governor will declare his intention to succeed his boss today in Benin City, the state capital, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, the declaration will pale into a flexing of muscles between Shaibu and his boss at Eterno Hotel, Aiguobasimwin Crescent, off Ikpokpan Road, Government Reservation Area (GRA), where Obaseki’s supporters are also converging for a meeting.
Shaibu’s declaration is coinciding with the fourth meeting of ‘Finish Well Group,’ which is the main structure of the governor in Edo PDP.
While the meeting of the group kicks off f at 7:30 a.m, Shaibu’s supporters are expected to storm the same venue at 8.am.
A source close to the deputy governor said: “It (the group’s meeting) was merely posted to disorganise us, but we remain unshaken.”
Shaibu, who hails from Edo North Senatorial District, has been at loggerheads with his boss, who has not endorsed his bid to succeed him in next year’s election.
The deputy governor, who had earlier reiterated his loyalty to Obaseki, who hails from Edo South, has insisted that he will contest for the poll.
However, Obaseki is believed to be rooting fora Lagos-based lawyer, Asue Ighodalo, who hails from Edo Central, as successor.
THE NATION
