Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has finally openly declared to run for the post of governor months after the governor, Godwin Obaseki, took exception to his ambition and ostracized him.

The deputy governor declared that he’s the right man for the job and that the state which is bleeding and is in need of recaue does not need another experiment, in an indirect attack on the governor.

Shaibu who began to make the move months ago to contest the election came under attack from the governor who ensured he renounced his ambition.

He apologised to the governor on several occasions and various interventions from stakeholders and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, eventually calmed the situation.

But as the election draws closer, Shaibu, who restarted his desire for the governorship position met with the Edo State Journalists Forum in Abuja over the weekend where he said, “Those who know me know that I am not a friend to bankers,” in another shot at the governor.

“I have sunk boreholes, renovated many schools with private monies as Deputy Governor. I have built churches and mosques. I am not an advocate of keeping money in the banks. I have conscience, I am a Catholic,” Shaibu declared.

Speaking on Sunday, Shaibu said, “With the 2024 Edo Governorship Election fast approaching, the state could not afford to experiment again with someone who does not understand the politics of the state or the needs of the people.

“Edo people need practical governance and you cannot experiment again with somebody that does not understand the politics of a good state and the needs of the people.”

The News Agency of Nigeria quoted the governor as saying, “Everything we have to do should be assessed.

“You cannot know the needs of the people when you don’t live with them. So for me, competence and experience should be the watchwords as we go into the election in 2024.

“Who is competent? Who is more experienced? Who will hit the ground running from day one?