Some Students of the University of Benin in Edo state, have said that they would have gone to court to compel Edo State deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu to join the governorship contest, if he had caved in to intimidation by Governor Godwin Obaseki and declined running.
The students, who trooped out en mass to the Airport Road Benin City secretariat of his Campaign Organization, took turn to pledge their unflinching support for the deputy governor, a former national president of NANS during his days at the University of Jos (UNIJOS).
Some of the students who spoke during the solidarity visit including Comrade Gilbert Oracle” Success, Comrade Gerald Nnamdi and Comrade Happiness Ugheghele, all took turn to pledge their unflinching support for Shaibu who formally declared on Monday.
They were unanimous in describing Comrade Shaibu as one of their own who has represented the youths very well both as a former national president of NANS and in the political space as a parliamentarian and deputy governor.
Shaibu addressing the students noted that the state number two citizen was a worthy ambassador of young people in Nigeria.
With his antecedents, they all agreed that there is no doubt whatsoever that the PDP governorship aspirant has the pedigree and capacity to deliver and take Edo State to the next level.
“As one of our own and a vibrant and articulate youth for that matter, we will mobilize and support you to ensure that you become the next governor of our dear state. We are convinced that you are the one hundred percent homeboy Edo people are looking forward to.”
In his response, Shaibu told the students’ unionists that by his exposure and experience as a youth, he was adequately prepared and equipped to be the governor of Edo State, come 2024.
Going down memory lane, the deputy governor chronicled his struggles and sacrifices with other like minds in fighting for the emancipation of Nigerian students and the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria.
Comrade Shaibu said: “I am happy to get this kind of massive support from my fellow youths and students. We are told that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. But the journey to taking over positions of leadership in our country starts today.
“All l enjoin you to do is to go about to spread the gospel of a better Edo State with Philip Shaibu as governor and let me assure you that I will not disappoint you. By the grace of God and with your support, the Edo of our collective dream is possible.”
