By Milcah Tanimu

Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, has made a dramatic appearance at the National Secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), demanding to be issued his certificate of return.

Shaibu insisted that the scheduled day for the collection of the certificate of return for the primary winner was today. He referred to an incident where someone reportedly received the certificate yesterday, suggesting that the matter may end up being decided in court.

This development follows the emergence of two candidates, Philip Shaibu and Asue Ighodalo, as contenders for the 2024 Edo governorship candidacy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after parallel primaries were conducted in the state on February 22, 2023.

Shaibu was declared the winner with 301 votes, while Ighodalo won another primary held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium with 577 votes.

The declaration of Shaibu as the PDP’s candidate came from a group of delegates who convened in a building on Commercial Avenue, alleging irregularities at the Edo Hotel Marquee venue, where some delegates were being accredited.

They claimed that upon attempting to obtain accreditation, security personnel escorted them out and alleged discrepancies in the list of delegates released by the party’s national leadership.

Bartholomew Moses, declaring Shaibu the winner, announced his victory with 301 votes, affirming him as the authentic elected candidate. However, Lawal, the Chief Returning Officer for the primary, and chairman of the committee, announced Ighodalo’s victory with 577 votes, while Shaibu allegedly scored one vote.

This conflicting outcome has led to Shaibu’s demand for his certificate of return, highlighting the contentious nature of the primary elections within the party.