Regarding the most recent governorship election, Governor Godwin Obaseki is the target of grave accusations made by Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State. Shaibu claims that Obaseki tried to sway the results of the election by purportedly bringing N73 million to his ward in an effort to purchase votes. This assertion raises questions regarding the fairness of the voting process and the strategies put forward by candidates to win over supporters.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
In an interview with Arise TV, Shaibu further accused the governor of manipulating the electoral process by transferring voters to his polling unit. He asserted that this strategy resulted in his unit recording the highest number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state, raising questions about the legitimacy of the voting process. Such allegations point to potential irregularities that could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.
Shaibu attributed the dynamics of the election to Obaseki’s betrayal of other leaders within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He noted that Obaseki had sidelined nine out of ten contestants during the PDP primaries, disregarding their political significance in Edo State. This apparent disregard for party unity and collaboration has contributed to the tensions within the party and dissatisfaction among its members.
He expressed frustration with Obaseki’s autocratic approach, suggesting that the governor’s newfound financial resources have led him to believe he can dictate terms within the party. The Deputy Governor argued that Obaseki’s reliance on money to influence the election is misguided and highlights a troubling trend in Nigerian politics, where financial power often overshadows democratic values.
The allegations made by Shaibu raise significant concerns about the electoral landscape in Edo State. If proven true, they could indicate a broader pattern of electoral malpractice that undermines the principles of free and fair elections. The potential impact of such practices on public trust in governance and democracy cannot be overstated.As the political climate in Edo State evolves, the revelations from Shaibu could prompt further scrutiny of the election process and lead to calls for reforms to ensure that future elections are conducted with greater transparency and integrity.
According to him, ”The game changer was refusing to share in Obaseki’s program. And he was feeling he can be an autocrat and he can become a dictator. And he wanted to enforce his way because feels he now has the money which he never had in 2016. He wanted to use money to buy his way through this election.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
