A former Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has praised the decision of Comrade Philip Shaibu, Deputy Governor of Edo State to contest for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a “welcome development.”

Comrade Akerele who is the Country Director of Policy House International, stressed that “it’s undemocratic, illegal, against the rule of law and unconstitutional for the governor to attempt to intimidate the Deputy governor.” He emphasized that Obaseki’s action was against the principles of natural justice.

Comrade Akerele’s commendation is contained in a release sent to our reporter.

It reads: “I received with excitement the declaration of Rt Hon Philip Shaibu into the race for Edo 2024.

“I have always insisted that Mr Godwin Obaseki does not have the right to stop anybody from contesting for the exalted office of the governor.

“It’s undemocratic, illegal, against the rule of law and unconstitutional for the governor to attempt to intimidate the Deputy governor. It’s against the principles of natural justice.

“If the Governor has done well as claimed, he should not worry about who succeeds him in 2024, he should allow the people of Edo state judge his performance and reward him with a good successor from any of the political parties.”

The ex-Chief of Staff cautioned Obaseki that, “Prof Alli was governor of this state, Gen Ogbemudia and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole were governors they didn’t need to organize a jamboree city tour to showcase their achievements for the people to feel or acknowledge.

“The projects and achievements themselves should reflect and speak on the quality of life of our people and not via a self sponsored adulation and commendation from hired social media urchins.”

Comrade Akerele enthused that: “Indeed Edo people cannot wait to bring to an end this self deceiving contraption that has taken back all forms of human capital development indices and progress we had made as a people since the state was created in 1991.”