Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State, canceled his reservation at Eterno Hotels in Benin City ahead of his official announcement of his intention to run for governor this morning (Monday).
A well-known leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state owns the hotel, which is situated in the Government Reserved Area of Benin.
According to what our correspondent learned, Shaibu received a call from the hotel management informing him that the area was no longer available for his use, and that his money would be reimbursed. The Shaibu group was allegedly informed by the hotel management that the “Obaseki finishing well group” had already paid for the same location.
One of Shaibu’s loyalists, who asked not to be named, told our correspondent that:
“We found this very preposterous that we were contacted by the hotel management that a group had paid for the same venue for a programme slated for 7 a.m. same date.
“We know where this is coming from. Whatever their plans to frustrate our declaration will definitely fail. They are jittery over Shaibu’s declaration and popularity.”
Shaibu’s desire to become governor has put him up against Governor Godwin Obaseki, his principal, who is rumored to be trying to select a different candidate to take over as governor.
Shaibu took Obaseki and the state House of Assembly to court during the height of the crisis, requesting an injunction to prevent them from impeaching him.
For his part, Obaseki had publicly charged Shaibu for being overly ambitious.
The Edo State Government moved Shaibu’s office out of the government house, despite the fact that Shaibu later apologized to Obaseki and the latter indicated he had forgiven him.
Shaibu’s team announced last week that the deputy governor will publicly announce his candidacy for the Edo State governorship in 2024 this week.
Newsmen were provided with a “Special Invitation” dated November 23, 2023 by the Philip Shaibu Campaign Organization, which stated: “I offer myself to serve as the Chief Servant (Governor) of Edo State. On behalf of Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu Campaign Organization, I invite you to honor me with your esteemed presence.”
The event was supposed to take place at the Eterno Hotels by 8 a.m. on Monday, November 27, as mentioned in the letter.